Authorities in the Dominican Republic are questioning a young man believed to be the last person seen with Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared in Punta Cana. The 20-year-old was last spotted on surveillance footage entering the beach near the Riu República Hotel with a group of seven people at approximately 4:15 a.m. on March 6, according to the Dominican National Police.
Konanki had traveled to the country on March 3 with five companions. Authorities were alerted to her disappearance around 8 a.m. on March 7 following a call from the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo.
Last Known Movements
Security footage showed that at around 5:55 a.m. on March 6, five women and one man left the beach. Konanki reportedly remained behind with another young man, whose identity has not been disclosed. Later, at 9:55 a.m., surveillance cameras recorded the man leaving the beach alone, with no sign of Konanki.
Officials have interviewed the man to gather more details about the events leading up to her disappearance. The police have expanded their investigation to verify his account and are questioning others who were last seen with Konanki to determine the best areas for the ongoing land and sea search.
Family’s Concerns
Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, expressed his deep concern and described his daughter as an ambitious young woman aspiring to become a doctor. He shared that she had informed her friends on March 5 that she was heading to a party at the resort.
“She went to the beach in the early morning of March 6 with friends and some other individuals they met at the resort,” he said. “Her friends returned after some time, but my daughter never came back.”
Her friends reported her missing when they noticed she was not in her room. The hotel chain Riu confirmed that Konanki was last seen around 4 a.m. and that her companions reported her disappearance at 4 p.m. that day.
“We want to express our sincerest empathy to the family and friends during this very difficult time,” the hotel stated, emphasizing that guest safety remains their top priority.
Search and Investigation Efforts
Dominican authorities, assisted by multiple agencies, have launched an extensive search operation. “So far, authorities have searched the waters using helicopters and other tools. They have also combed through nearby bays, bushes, and trees,” Konanki’s father said.
The Dominican Republic’s National Emergency System is leading the search effort.
“In coordination with the Tourism Police, Civil Defense, Dominican Navy, and National Police, we have deployed four drone teams equipped with advanced technology to search the coastal area of Bávaro,” officials stated on March 9.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki resides, is also involved. “We have contacted federal law enforcement, the U.S. State Department, and officials in the Dominican Republic,” the sheriff’s office said.
The Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic is also working with local and U.S. authorities to assist in the case.
Growing Concerns and Calls for Expanded Investigation
Konanki’s father is urging officials to broaden their investigation beyond the ocean search.
“They are only looking in the water, but I want them to consider other possibilities, including kidnapping or human trafficking,” he said.
He also expressed concern about his daughter’s ability to survive for an extended period if she were lost at sea. “We don’t think she could survive in the water for more than three days. Something else might have happened to her.”
Travel Safety Warnings
The U.S. State Department currently has a Level Two travel advisory for the Dominican Republic, cautioning visitors to “exercise increased caution” due to concerns over violent crime, including armed robbery and sexual assault.
Travelers are advised to remain aware of their surroundings and avoid displaying signs of wealth.
The University of Pittsburgh has encouraged anyone with information to contact authorities.
“University officials are in contact with Sudiksha Konanki’s family and authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, and we have offered our full support in their efforts to find her and bring her home safely,” the university said in a statement.
As the search continues, Konanki’s family, friends, and law enforcement agencies remain hopeful for new leads in the case.
