The FBI has joined the desperate search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished nearly a week ago while on spring break in the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Konanki was last seen in the early hours of March 6 on a beach near the Riu República Hotel. According to Dominican police, she was with a group of friends when she disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
Also read: Who is Sudiksha Konanki? Young man questioned in Indian-origin student’s mysterious disappearance
Vanished without a trace
The hotel released a statement revealing that a power outage occurred the night Konanki went missing, leading multiple guests to gather on the beach. It remains unclear whether this blackout played a role in her disappearance.
Dominican President Luis Abinader acknowledged the growing concerns, said, “We are deeply worried. Every government agency is involved in the search.” He cited reports that a wave may have swept Konanki away, based on the account of the last person to see her.
Despite assurances about tourist safety, the case has raised alarm. Civil Defense Director Juan Salas denied reports that Konanki’s clothes had been found, contradicting earlier media claims.
Family’s heartbreaking plea
Konanki, an Indian citizen and US permanent resident from Chantilly, Virginia, had traveled to the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five other female university students. Her distraught parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, flew to Punta Cana as soon as they learned she was missing.
“We just want our daughter back,” her father said, urging authorities to expand the investigation.