College Student Sudiksha Konanki Missing After Beach Walk in Dominican Republic, Authorities Believe She May Have Drowned.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – A University of Pittsburgh junior, Sudiksha Konanki, has been reported missing after a beach walk on March 6, 2024. Authorities believe the 20-year-old student from Virginia’s Loudoun County may have drowned during the early morning hours in the Dominican Republic’s Riu Republica Resort, Punta Cana.
Konanki was part of a spring break trip when she disappeared, according to officials and a social media missing poster.
The Disappearance
On March 5, 2024, Konanki, along with a group of six other students, went for a walk on the beach near their hotel. As most of the group returned to the resort, Konanki and another person stayed behind. It’s believed that the pair went for a swim in the ocean, where Konanki may have been caught by a large wave. Local authorities suspect drowning as the cause, although an official investigation is ongoing.
Konanki was last seen on surveillance cameras around 4:15 AM local time on March 6, 2024, shortly before she went missing. The search for her began in the early hours of March 8, after family and friends raised concerns when she failed to return.
Search Efforts
By Sunday, March 9, authorities resumed the search, deploying drones and helicopters in an attempt to locate Konanki. The Dominican Civil Defense, which oversees rescue operations, continues to lead the efforts.
Defensa Civil Dominicana (Photo: Facebook)
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) was notified of the disappearance, and immediately coordinated with federal and state law enforcement agencies, as well as the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic. India’s Embassy in the country has also played a key role in assisting with the situation.
Sudiksha Konanki: A Bright Student
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, is described as a dedicated and hardworking individual. She was traveling with a group of six female students, one of whom is also from Loudoun County, Virginia. Konanki is a U.S. citizen of Indian descent, and her family has been in close contact with local authorities in their search for answers.
She was last seen wearing a brown bikini, round earrings, an anklet, and several bracelets, according to a missing poster shared by a friend of Konanki’s parents.
Family, Friends, and Support
As authorities continue to search for Konanki, her family and friends are left in distress. A missing poster shared by a family friend appealed to those in the area for help. “We need your help to get the word out! If you are in the area or can help with the search, or if you have any information that could lead to her whereabouts, please reach out,” the message read.
Although the investigation is ongoing, police have questioned Konanki's friends, but no charges have been filed against anyone.
Authorities and Next Steps
The Dominican Republic National Police, the U.S. Department of State, and the Embassy of India have all been involved in the search and investigation. As the search continues, authorities are working to determine the exact cause of Konanki’s disappearance.
As of now, there has been no confirmation regarding the exact cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
