NRI Student ‘Sudiksha Konanki’ in Pittsburgh University is Missing,
Feared Drowned in Caribbean Waters

Los Angeles/Mar 10, 2025
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

NRI Sudiksha Konanki, 20-years-old 'University of Pittsburgh' student, has disappeared while on a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic. Authorities suspect she may have drowned after being caught in a strong wave.

Konanki, a resident of northern Virginia, was last seen on March 6 near the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. She was vacationing with five other students, and according to reports, was last spotted walking along the beach. While most of the group returned to their hotel that night, one person remained with her. An investigative report cited by ABC News suggests that the two went swimming and were pulled under by a large wave, leading authorities to believe she may have drowned.

Investigation Underway
Officials in the Dominican Republic have questioned a "young man" who was in the water at the time of Konanki’s disappearance, according to Listin Diario. However, there have been no official updates on whether his statement provided new leads.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares commented on the case, stating, “We are still gathering information. Her friends have been accounted for, which is positive, but we are hoping for more clarity. There are still many unanswered questions.”
Despite drowning being the primary theory, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that no definitive evidence has been found to confirm this conclusion.

Family Seeks Expanded Search Efforts
Konanki’s parents flew to Punta Cana as soon as they learned of her disappearance. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has urged law enforcement to widen the investigation beyond drowning.

"If she had drowned, she would have likely washed ashore by now," he told WTOP. "Since she has not been found, we are asking authorities to investigate other possibilities, including kidnapping or foul play."

He also pointed out unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance. "Her personal belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, which is strange because she always carried her phone with her," he wrote in an official complaint. "We are requesting an urgent and thorough investigation that considers all possible scenarios."

Ongoing Search Operations
Konanki, an Indian citizen and U.S. permanent resident, is described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown two-piece bikini, large round earrings, a designer anklet on her right leg, and bracelets on both wrists.

The Indian embassy in the Dominican Republic is working alongside U.S. authorities, including the FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to assist in the case. Defensa Civil Dominicana, a Dominican search and rescue agency, has conducted extensive searches and plans to continue efforts.

The University of Pittsburgh has expressed its support, remaining in close contact with Konanki’s family and law enforcement as the search for her continues.

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