In a mysterious turn of events, US college student Sudiksha Konanki vanished from the beach near the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana on March 6. The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, originally from Loudon County, Virginia, had traveled with five female friends for a vacation. New details reveal that several individuals were present on the beach during her disappearance, raising more questions about her fate.
Surveillance footage captured Konanki and her friends entering the beach at around 4:15 a.m. alongside two men. By 4:55 a.m., five women and one man left the beach, but Sudiksha Konanki remained with a man in his 20s. This individual, who is cooperating with authorities, stated that he entered the water, felt ill, and lay down on the beach, with Konanki still standing in the shallow waves. He later woke up and left the beach around 9 a.m., but Konanki was nowhere to be found.
Her sarong-style cover-up was discovered on a lounge chair, but there were no signs of violence. Investigators are now focusing on identifying additional individuals who were on the beach that morning. Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the search for Sudiksha Konanki.
The conditions that night were perilous, with strong currents and high waves, according to Agustín Morillo Rodríguez, the general commander of the Dominican Republic navy. This area had already witnessed tragedy earlier in the year when four tourists drowned due to similar conditions. Initially, authorities suspected Konanki’s disappearance was related to a drowning, but the investigation has since expanded to explore other possibilities, including potential foul play.
The General Prosecutor’s Office has stated that a holistic investigation protocol is being applied to consider all variables. Sudiksha Konanki’s family, particularly her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged authorities to investigate whether kidnapping or human trafficking could be involved. He noted that his daughter’s belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, which was unusual for her.
As the search enters its seventh day, Sudiksha Konanki’s parents have returned to Virginia, leaving local and international authorities to continue their efforts. The absence of a body and the presence of other individuals on the beach during her disappearance have added complexity to the case. Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman emphasized the need to explore all potential scenarios.
This heartbreaking case has drawn attention from the United States, the Dominican Republic, and India, where Sudiksha Konanki’s family originates. With the cooperation of the man last seen with her and the ongoing efforts to identify other witnesses, authorities are hopeful for a breakthrough. However, the community remains on edge as they await answers regarding the fate of Sudiksha Konanki.
