A tragic case is unfolding in the Dominican Republic as authorities continue their search for 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who went missing while on a spring break trip. Police sources have revealed that her clothes were found on a beach, close to where she was last seen going for a swim.
Disappearance During Spring Break Trip
Konanki, a legal U.S. resident and Indian citizen, had traveled to Punta Cana with a group of students for vacation. According to the Loudoun County, Virginia, Sheriff’s Office, she and a companion from the same county were part of the trip. On the night of March 6, she and a group of friends visited a nightclub before heading to the beach early in the morning.
Last Known Moments
Authorities say that Konanki and her friends arrived at the beach around 4 a.m. on March 7. At around 5:55 a.m., the other women in her group returned to their hotel, as shown in security footage. However, Konanki remained on the beach with a man, whose name has not been released.
What Happened on the Beach?
According to a Dominican Republic investigative police report, the man told authorities that he and Konanki decided to go for a swim. He claims they were caught by a large wave, and when he made it back to shore, he vomited and then fell asleep on a beach bed. When he woke up, Konanki was gone. Security footage later captured the man returning to his hotel room at 9:55 a.m.
Investigation and Search Efforts
Police have found no signs of violence at the scene, and officials currently believe Konanki drowned. Authorities have expanded their search area along the beach and in the ocean in hopes of finding her. The Dominican Republic’s Civil Defense chief stated that the case is being treated as an accident.
Ongoing Investigation
While the man who was with Konanki is not considered a suspect, investigators are conducting a thorough review of all security footage. The FBI, the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, the Dominican National Police, and the Dominican Prosecutor’s Office are all involved in the investigation.
Officials are re-questioning everyone connected to the case, including Konanki’s friends and hotel staff. They are also analyzing all security footage from the day she and her friends arrived in the Dominican Republic.
Conclusion
As the search continues, law enforcement is working diligently to determine what happened to Sudiksha Konanki. While early reports suggest she may have drowned, authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their investigation. The case remains under close scrutiny, and updates are expected as more details emerge.
