U.S. College Student Sudiksha Konanki Missing in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh junior, went missing on March 6 in the Dominican Republic during spring break. She was last seen on the beach after a night out, with investigations now involving the FBI and local authorities. Despite extensive searching, she has not been found, with her personal items located nearby but no evidence of foul play reported.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Pittsburgh, has been missing since March 6, 2023, during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She disappeared around 4:50 a.m. from the beach near the Riu Republica Hotel after a night at a club with friends. Despite a systematic search effort ongoing for nearly a week, authorities have not yet located her.

The FBI has joined the investigation, sending U.S. detectives to support local authorities in the Dominican Republic. Konanki, an Indian citizen residing in Chantilly, Virginia, was last seen with a male acquaintance on the beach, while her friends returned to the hotel. The male companion reported that he went for a swim, but when he awoke from resting on a beach bed, she was missing.

Security camera footage indicates the man returned to his hotel room at 8:55 a.m., while Konanki was last observed around 4:50 a.m., coinciding with a power outage that prompted numerous guests to gather on the beach. Her belongings, including her clothing, were discovered near where she vanished, but authorities have ruled out any signs of violence in the investigation.

As the search broadens, investigators from the Dominican Republic and the Loudoun County Sheriff’s office, where Konanki is from, are actively engaging in interviews with hotel staff and friends. Additionally, a yellow notice has been filed with Interpol to facilitate international efforts in locating her. FBI technicians are analyzing surveillance footage from her arrival to the time of her disappearance to establish a clearer timeline.

The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, raises significant concerns during what was supposed to be a celebratory spring break. With both local and U.S. authorities collaborating in the search effort, the investigation continues to seek answers. Key elements include the timeline of events leading up to her disappearance and the ongoing analysis of surveillance footage. As efforts intensify, the hope remains for a swift resolution to this troubling incident.

Original Source: www.deseret.com