Person of Interest Identified in Search for Missing University of Pittsburgh Student
The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a missing University of Pittsburgh student, has led U.S. authorities to identify a person of interest. She disappeared during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, and while her friends reported her missing, no signs of violence have been discovered at the site. The investigation remains ongoing with cooperation between U.S. and Dominican officials.
U.S. investigators have identified a person of interest in the search for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, who disappeared while on a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. This information was confirmed by a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki resides.
Although the sheriff’s office has no jurisdiction over the case, they have dispatched detectives to Punta Cana to aid in the investigation. Reports indicate that Dominican authorities have yet to verify whether this individual is also of interest in their inquiries. Additionally, the FBI is collaborating with local authorities on the matter.
Konanki, a 20-year-old biology student, traveled to Punta Cana on March 3 with five friends. According to the National Police, she was last seen on security video around 4:15 a.m. on March 6, entering the beach area of the Riu Republica Resort. Subsequently, her friends returned to the hotel after 40 minutes while Konanki opted to remain with non-college companions.
Her friends reported her missing approximately 12 hours later, after they realized she had not returned from the beach excursion. During a news conference, Dominican President Luis Abinader mentioned that the last individual to have contact with Konanki indicated a wave had impacted them while they were on the beach, leading to further concerns. Notably, no evidence of blood or violence was detected at the location, according to the National Police spokesperson.
In summary, the search for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student missing during her spring break in the Dominican Republic, has led to the identification of a person of interest by U.S. investigators. Despite significant efforts from both U.S. and Dominican authorities, the case remains unresolved. Konanki’s last known movements were captured on security footage, and her friends reported her missing after realizing she did not return from the beach. Local authorities have not found signs of violence, but the investigation continues.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
