Sudiksha Konanki’s Mother Breaks Down and Father Consoles Her as Parents Publicly React to Daughter's Presumed Death

• The parents of missing college student Sudiksha Konanki, 20 — who was last seen going on an early morning beach walk on March 6 while on a Dominican Republic spring break trip with friends — are speaking out 12 days after their daughter's disappearance
• The missing student's mother, Sreedevi Konanki, broke down in tears while her husband, Subbarayudu, told reporters they believed their daughter had drowned
• "We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers. This is incredibly difficult for us to process," Subbarayudu said, per a clip shared by NBC News

The parents of missing college student Sudiksha Konanki are speaking out publicly in an emotional interview 12 days after their daughter's disappearance in the Dominican Republic.

University of Pittsburgh junior Sudiksha, 20 — a resident of Virginia’s Loudoun County — was last seen in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, March 6, while walking on a beach at Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana.

While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, March 18, in Loudoun County, her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, said they believed their daughter had drowned, asking people to keep her in their thoughts.

"We kindly ask you to keep our daughter in your prayers. This is incredibly difficult for us to process," Subbarayudu said in a video shared by NBC News.

"We believe 100% in the authorities' investigation. The conditions and the waves of the ocean ..." he continued, as a reporter asked, "The authorities told you that they believe she drowned?" to which he responded, "Yeah."

"The authorities have shown us how high the ocean waves were at the time of [the] incident," Subbarayudu said.

He added, "Both sides of the authorities also clarified that the person of interest is not a suspect from the beginning," referencing Joshua Riibe, 22, who was previously questioned given that he's believed to be the last person to see Sudiksha alive. He was never accused or charged with any crime.

"It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that we are coming to terms with the fact our daughter has drowned," Subbarayudu told reporters, as the missing student's mother, Sreedevi, broke down in tears, per a clip that was also shared by Fox 5.

The parents' comments came after they said they believed their daughter had drowned in a letter to Dominican authorities, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

"Initiating [the death declaration process] will allow our family to begin the grieving process and address matters related to her absence," the letter stated. "While no declaration can truly ease our grief, we trust that this step will bring some closure and enable us to honor her memory."

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) spokesperson Thomas Julia confirmed to PEOPLE in an email on Tuesday, March 18, that Sudiksha's parents had reached out on Monday "seeking closure" amid the investigation.

"I can confirm that the LCSO met with the family yesterday and received a letter seeking closure and expressing gratitude for the investigation and support of our agency and others," the spokesperson added.

Sudiksha — an Indian citizen — was traveling in a group of six female Pittsburgh students, including one other Loudoun County resident, on the trip before her disappearance, a spokesperson for the LCSO previously told PEOPLE in a statement.

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Sources close to the investigation previously told ABC News and Dominican news outlet El Nacionalthat the missing student's clothes were found on a chaise lounge on the beach and noted there were no signs of violence.

Dominican police previously confirmed to PEOPLE that clothes had been found but did not share more details.

ABC News reported last week that the student was believed to have drowned in the ocean after being caught by a big wave when she and one other person went for a swim — though that determination was initially challenged as speculative by Loudon County authorities.

Police did not confirm the drowning aspect when contacted by PEOPLE at the time, and the LCSO said in an earlier statement last week that “there is no evidence or confirmation of a drowning at this time and the case is being aggressively investigated by U.S. law enforcement working with the Dominican National Police, with support from assets here at home.”

Sudiksha's body has not been found amid the ongoing search.