Father of Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki Calls for Broader Investigation
Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, went missing in Punta Cana, sparking her father to request a broader investigation into possible kidnapping or foul play. Authorities are conducting search operations while examining all scenarios regarding her disappearance. The university is supporting the family in the ongoing efforts to find her.
Subbarayudu Konanki, the father of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished in Punta Cana, has urged authorities to broaden their investigation into her disappearance. Sudiksha was reported last seen on March 6 at a beach close to her resort. Her father stated, “It’s four days, and if she was in water, she would likely have been strewn to shore,” emphasizing concerns regarding potential kidnapping or abduction.
Authorities have employed drones, helicopters, and detection dogs to search the waters off the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, where Sudiksha was last observed. Jensen Sánchez from Civil Defense indicated that while the presumption is that she drowned, the situation remains under police scrutiny. He acknowledged the possibility of a body taking over a week to surface in warm waters.
Upon learning of her disappearance, Subbarayudu and his wife Sreedevi traveled to Punta Cana with two family friends. They lodged a complaint requesting a more expansive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sudiksha’s disappearance, noting that her personal items were left with friends despite her habit of carrying her phone.
In his complaint, Subbarayudu requested, “…immediate steps to investigate not only the possibility of an accidental drowning, but also the possibility of a kidnapping or foul play.” Sudiksha, an Indian citizen and U.S. permanent resident from Chantilly, Virginia, has her case being supported by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and university police.
The University of Pittsburgh remains in communication with both the family and local authorities, extending their support in the search efforts to locate Sudiksha and ensure her safe return. Sudiksha departed for the Dominican Republic with five other female university students on March 3, aiming for a relaxing spring break with her friends.
The situation surrounding Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance raises critical questions regarding safety and the effectiveness of investigations in tourist areas. Her father’s plea for a more thorough investigation reflects the family’s anxiety over potential foul play. As search efforts intensify, continued support from both local authorities and university officials will be paramount in efforts to locate her and uncover the truth behind her disappearance.
Original Source: www.bostonherald.com
