Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old Indian student at the University of Pittsburgh, has been reported missing while vacationing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She was last seen in the early hours of March 6 during a spring break trip with five female friends, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO).
Authorities in the U.S. and Dominican Republic have launched a joint investigation, reviewing surveillance footage, phone records, and conducting interviews. The LCSO has also filed for an INTERPOL Yellow Notice to aid in locating her.
According to an ABC News report, Dominican officials believe Konanki may have drowned, as her clothes were discovered on a beach bed near the shore. However, her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged authorities to explore other possibilities, including kidnapping, noting that her belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends—an unusual occurrence.
Witnesses said Konanki and a man, whose identity remains undisclosed, stayed behind at the beach after her friends returned to their hotel at 5:55 a.m. The man reportedly told police that they went for a swim but were caught in a strong wave. He later woke up on a beach bed and found her missing.
Dominican authorities have stated that the man is not considered a suspect, and no evidence of foul play has been found. However, the LCSO has urged against speculation, emphasizing their commitment to a thorough investigation.
Konanki’s parents have flown to the Dominican Republic, seeking further efforts to locate their daughter. U.S. federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of State, are working closely with local authorities in the ongoing search.
