A 20-year-old college student, Sudiksha Konanki, is missing while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, prompting a large-scale search involving land, air, and sea. The University of Pittsburgh junior was last captured on surveillance footage with seven others entering the beach at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana around 4.15 am on Thursday. She was reported missing after failing to return to her hotel.
Konanki’s search efforts involve authorities from the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India, utilising search dogs, drones, and helicopters. Her family describes her as a promising student with aspirations of becoming a doctor. Originally from India, the Konanki family has lived in Virginia since 2006, and friends back home are anxiously awaiting news of her safety.
Authorities became involved when Konanki’s father filed a missing person report later on Thursday. Eyewitness reports indicate she had been out with friends drinking before she vanished. Surveillance footage shows her socialising with a group before being seen heading to the beach, although her friends returned without her.
Her personal effects, including a cover-up, were discovered on the beach, but investigators found no signs of violence. One man, believed to be the last individual to see her, has been interviewed multiple times and remains under observation but is not a suspect.
Authorities have conducted extensive searches, combing nearby waters and land areas while considering various possibilities for her disappearance, including foul play or abduction. The investigation has involved close collaboration with local law enforcement and the FBI, and efforts continue to review surveillance footage and interview those who were with Konanki.
Her father expressed concerns that she could not have survived long in the water, urging investigators to consider all scenarios. The search persists, with searches conducted by drone teams and maritime units, while the family’s plea for answers resonates through their community. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has cautioned against public speculation, emphasising the importance of a thorough investigation.