SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The family of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing while on a spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is urging authorities to broaden their search efforts. Sudiksha disappeared in the early hours of March 6 near a beach by the resort where she was staying with her friends.
Days have passed since her disappearance, and Sudiksha’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, expressed his concerns to WTOP-FM. He remarked that if his daughter had been in the water, she might have washed ashore by now. In light of her absence, he is asking authorities to consider other possibilities such as abduction. Subbarayudu emphasized that multiple avenues, including kidnapping, require thorough investigation.
The search effort, which intensified on Monday, involves various resources such as drones, helicopters, and trained detection dogs, as stated by Jensen Sánchez from the Civil Defense. This extensive operation focuses on the waters off the island’s eastern coast, where Sudiksha was last reported by a friend to have been caught by waves. However, this account is still under investigation by the police.
The complexity of the case is highlighted by the fact that in warm waters, it can occasionally take over a week for a body to surface. Hoping to find Sudiksha, her parents, along with family friends, traveled to Punta Cana as soon as they learned of the incident.
The formal complaint lodged by Subbarayudu Konanki includes a request to extend the investigation scope. It highlights inconsistencies, such as Sudiksha’s personal items, including her phone and wallet, being left with her friends. Such actions were described as atypical since Sudiksha generally kept her phone at hand.
In his written appeal, her father urged, “Given these peculiar circumstances, I respectfully ask the authorities to explore all possibilities, beyond accidental drowning, focusing also on potential foul play or kidnapping.” Sudiksha, originally from India, holds permanent U.S. residency in Chantilly, Virginia, loudoun county Sheriff’s Office disclosed. The Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with federal and university law enforcement officials, supports the ongoing Dominican National Police investigation.
Additionally, University of Pittsburgh representatives have remained in constant touch with Sudiksha’s family and authorities in Virginia. They have vowed to contribute to every effort made to locate the missing student and ensure her safe return. Sudiksha and five of her university classmates departed for their Dominican Republic vacation on March 3, as explained by her father.
“She simply wanted to enjoy a pleasant getaway with friends in the scenic destination of Punta Cana,” he said. The distressing development has since united many in hopes of bringing Sudiksha back home safely.