Missing University of Pittsburgh Student Sudiksha Konanki Believed to Have Drowned in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, has gone missing and is feared to have drowned while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. Last seen on security footage at the Riu Republica Resort, investigations are ongoing without firm evidence of drowning. The U.S. State Department and Indian embassy are involved in the search effort amid poor conditions at the resort.

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, is presumed to have drowned during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic. Accompanied by five other students, she was last seen on security footage at the Riu Republica Resort beach at approximately 4:50 a.m. on Thursday, following a night out. Investigators report she was initially with a group but ended up swimming with one other individual shortly before she disappeared.

While three Dominican officials indicated she may have encountered difficulties while swimming, Thomas Julia, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, cautioned against speculation, emphasizing that there is currently no evidence to support the drowning theory. The investigation remains open to various possibilities, including an accident or foul play, with interviews and assessments of video and phone records ongoing.

Konanki’s friends reported her absence when she failed to return to her hotel room after notifying them of her intention to attend a party at the resort. Described by her father as “an ambitious girl” pursuing a medical career, she was noted to have been wearing distinctive jewelry at the time she was last seen.

The U.S. State Department is collaborating with the Indian embassy in leading the investigation, addressing the dual citizenship status of Konanki. Communication has also occurred with her family to provide support in the search efforts. Meanwhile, conditions at the Riu Republica Resort have deteriorated, with tourists facing issues like electricity outages and food shortages; some have resorted to charging devices in the lobby amid scarce resources.

Konanki, a pre-med student who is anticipated to graduate in 2026, attended Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology before her university enrollment. The U.S. State Department had previously issued a travel advisory cautioning visitors about various risks in the Dominican Republic, highlighting concerns about safety and crime in the region.

In summary, Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student, is missing and presumed drowned while on spring break in the Dominican Republic. Investigations are ongoing, with no concrete evidence supporting drowning despite speculation. The U.S. State Department and the Indian embassy are actively collaborating on the case as efforts to locate her continue. Observably, tourists are grappling with inadequate conditions at their resort, further complicating the situation surrounding her disappearance.

Original Source: www.dailymail.co.uk