Search intensifies for missing college student Sudiksha Konanki in Dominican Republic. Here’s what we know.
Investigators asked for a global alert among an ongoing University of Pittsburgh student and disappeared along with friends during spring break.
Interpol issued a global alert called a yellow notice of missing persons. 20 years old in Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in his hometown of Virginia Sudiksha Konanki Notification has been made.
Authorities are searching for any signs of konanki on land and water in the tourist town of Punta Cana. She was reportedly missing for the first time during her vacation.
Konanki is a permanent resident of the United States, but an Indian citizen. Her family lives in Chantilly, Virginia. She is a student of Pitt.
Dominican police sources told CBS News that Konanki walked up to the beach with five friends she travelled with, a group accompanied by two American men. Konanki reportedly stayed on the beach with one of the men, while the rest of the group returned to the hotel.
No one was detained and the investigation was underway.
“People have a lot of speculation about what happened in Conna and what might be involved in it,” the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office said. “We warn anyone to draw any unconfirmed conclusions and are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation before any conclusions are drawn.”
Authorities said officials involved in the search include Dominican Civil Defense, Dominican Navy, police and firefighters. Virginia and the Pitt Police Department’s law enforcement is also part of the investigation.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance videos and phone records.
Civil Defense also brought specialized search and rescue K-9 teams to assist their efforts and Facebook page says. The processor and his dog Max are described as “the model rescue agency” that specifically target people living in open spaces.
Authorities say they also use drones to get a better understanding of the beach and the surrounding areas.
University of Pittsburgh’s reaction
A Pitt spokesman told KDKA-TV that the university is contacting family members and authorities at Konanki, a family residence in Northern Virginia.
“University officials are contacting Sudiksha Konanki’s family and authorities in Loudon County, Virginia, and we are fully supportive of the efforts to find her and take her home,” a university spokesperson said over the weekend. “Anyone with information is urged to contact the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.”
The students expressed concern for the students.
“I hope she will find it soon,” said an unidentified student. “I think people are worried because who would think it’s Pete’s girl?”
Sudiksha Konanki’s family speaks out
Konanki’s father Subbarayudu Konanki told the media that he and his wife went to Punta Cana with two family and friends.
He told reporters: “During spring break, she wanted to have a pleasant break in Punta Cana with her friends.
The investigation is concentrated in and around the water. Last weekend, Konanki and a family and friend filed a record of complaints, asking authorities to expand the investigation.
“It’s been four days since she’s in the water, she might be scattered on the shore,” Subbarayudu Konanki told WTOP-FM. “She was not found, so we asked them to investigate multiple options, such as kidnapping or kidnapping.”
The complaint states that the student’s property, including her cell phone and wallet, was left to her friends, “It’s unusual because she always carries her cell phone with her.”
“In view of these circumstances, I would like to ask the authorities to take immediate measures to investigate not only the possibility of accidental drowning, but also the possibility of kidnapping or fouling,” Kang Ki wrote.
The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, from his hometown of Konanki, Virginia, is participating in the investigation. They made a statement over the weekend.
“We have confirmed that there are six female students from the University of Pittsburgh traveling in Punta Cana, at least two of whom are residents of Loudon County, Virginia, and one of whom is a missing person from Indian citizens,” said an office spokesperson for Sharif, Loudon County.
In addition to the University of Pittsburgh police, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office also said they are working with the U.S. State Department, the FBI, the DEA and the Homeland Security Investigation.
Contributed to this report.
