Search Efforts Intensify for Missing University Student in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a junior studying biology and chemistry, has been missing since March 6, sparking comprehensive search operations and raising concerns about her safety amid ongoing investigations.

Search efforts for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared while on spring break in the Dominican Republic, have now entered their second week. Last seen around 04:00 on March 6, Konanki was in a hotel with five friends when she was captured on surveillance video walking towards the beach. The Dominican authorities are currently investigating her disappearance as a missing persons case, considering the possibility that she may have drowned. However, foul play has not been ruled out.

A resident of Chantilly, Virginia, Konanki traveled to Punta Cana with her friends for a break from university studies. Surveillance footage indicates that she remained on the beach with Joshua Riibe, a senior from St Cloud State University in Minnesota, after the rest of their group returned to the hotel. Riibe’s family has expressed their hope that Konanki will be found soon, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.

Dominican President Luis Abinader commented on the investigation, mentioning that the last contact reported was an incident involving a wave hitting the individuals on the beach. The ongoing search, led by Dominican police, includes the use of drones and AI technology that assesses video footage to identify potential clues in the water and along the coastline. So far, investigators have noted no signs of violence or blood at the beach, raising questions about what may have happened.

The University of Pittsburgh has stated they are collaborating with various federal and local agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, in the ongoing investigation concerning Konanki’s disappearance. Additionally, Interpol has issued a yellow notice, a type of alert used for missing persons, which further highlights the urgency of finding her. The search continues, galvanizing community support as authorities remain committed to uncovering her whereabouts.