The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a missing student from the University of Pittsburgh, continues in the Dominican Republic. Authorities have identified a person of interest who was the last seen with her but clarified that he is not a suspect. As the investigation unfolds, it is believed that Konanki may have drowned while swimming in the ocean. Authorities are re-interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, has been reported missing in the Dominican Republic, prompting the investigation into her disappearance. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office identified a man as a person of interest, who was reportedly the last known individual with Konanki. It is important to note that he has not been charged and is not a suspect at this time, as authorities emphasize that this is not a criminal investigation.
As the search continues, the FBI has joined the investigation effort. The man of interest is described as a U.S. citizen vacationing in Punta Cana, although he is not part of Konanki’s travel group. Konanki, a legal permanent resident of the U.S. and citizen of India, was part of a group of six female students visiting the beach area when she went missing.
Reports confirm that Konanki is believed to have drowned. The Dominican police are currently re-interviewing individuals who were present with her prior to her disappearance on March 6, specifically around the Riu República Hotel area. The hotel management indicated that a power outage at the time led many guests to the beach, coinciding with the tragic events.
Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed his concern over the situation during a press briefing. He revealed that government agencies are actively involved in the search efforts, and shared information regarding a wave that reportedly swept over Konanki and the man with her while they were on the beach.
Investigators learned that Konanki had been out with six friends at a nightclub and had returned to the beach early that morning. Most of her friends left the beach around 5:55 a.m., while one individual remained with her. It is believed that they went swimming and were subsequently caught in a strong wave. Surveillance footage indicates that Konanki was last seen on the beach at approximately 4:15 a.m.
Her friends, unaware of her absence while engaging in an excursion, did not report her missing until 4 p.m. the same day. The timeline of events is complicated by discrepancies in the security footage, which initially misreported the time of the man’s return to his room. While this individual is cooperating with authorities, his status as a suspect has not been determined by prosecutors.
Both Konanki’s friends and the man under investigation have been questioned by the police, with no charges filed against them. Authorities have stated that no other participants are believed to have been involved in the drowning incident. President Abinader reassured the public of the general safety for tourists in the Dominican Republic, noting the high volume of annual visitors.
In summary, Sudiksha Konanki’s mysterious disappearance in the Dominican Republic continues to unfold as investigations deepen. A man who was last seen with her is currently a person of interest, although he has not been charged with any wrongdoing. The situation highlights the complexity of the investigation, as authorities scrutinize the events around her disappearance while emphasizing the safety of tourists in the region.
Original Source: 6abc.com
