Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 6. The FBI has joined local authorities in the search, which has extended into a thorough investigation. Her last known whereabouts were near a beach at 4:50 a.m. after a night out with friends, and clothing belonging to her was found nearby.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on March 6 while on spring break with friends. She was last seen near the beach of the Riu Republica Hotel at approximately 4:50 a.m. The FBI has joined the investigation, and U.S. detectives have been sent to assist local authorities as the search for Konanki continues after nearly a week of efforts.
Konanki, an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of the United States residing in Chantilly, Virginia, is a junior studying biology. She traveled to the Dominican Republic with five female friends on March 3 for their spring break festivities. Her last known activities involved visiting a nightclub on the night prior to her disappearance, after which she and her friends proceeded to the beach around 4 a.m.
At the beach, Konanki’s friends returned to the hotel, captured on security footage, while she remained with an unidentified man she had met during the trip. This individual informed authorities they swam together but subsequently fell asleep on a beach bed after feeling unwell. He reported waking up to find Konanki missing. Security footage later showed him returning to his hotel room alone at 8:55 a.m.
Clothing belonging to Konanki was discovered on a portable beach bed, and there are currently no indications of violence surrounding her disappearance. Authorities noted that she was last seen wearing distinctive jewelry, including big round earrings and a metal designer anklet, along with a brown bikini attire.
The investigation is being conducted primarily by Dominican Republic officials, with the FBI now involved as well as detectives from Loudoun County, Virginia. Detectives are interviewing hotel personnel and Konanki’s friends while also analyzing video surveillance from her arrival until after her disappearance. The search perimeter has been expanded in hopes of locating Konanki.
Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance remains a developing investigation with the involvement of local Dominican authorities and the FBI. The collective efforts continue to seek answers and involve analyzing surveillance, interviewing witnesses, and expanding search efforts. Her family and friends await news, hoping for a positive outcome in this troubling situation.
Original Source: www.deseret.com
