The parents of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki have asked for Dominican authorities to declare their daughter dead. Their request highlights the heartbreaking realities of losing a child and handling the legalities of a missing person case.

Missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki disappeared in the Dominican Republic resort town of Punta Cana almost two weeks ago.

It's a phenomenon experienced by the families of missing people when a body is never found, experts say: grief without certainty.