The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished in the Dominican Republic last week, has taken a tragic turn. Authorities now suspect she was swept away by a powerful wave while swimming off a Punta Cana beach in the early hours of Thursday morning, according to reports by New York Post. But questions remain—was it truly an accident, or is there more to the story?
A night on the beach turns into a nightmare
Konanki, a bright pre-med student and legal US resident, had traveled with five friends from Pitt for what was supposed to be a carefree spring break in the Caribbean. On Wednesday night, she and six others strolled along the beach at the Riu República Hotel. By the time the night wound down, most of the group had left—except for Konanki and one other person, reported ABC News.
Surveillance footage captured her at 4:15 am, still on the sand with a young man whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. What happened next remains a matter of investigation, but according to a police report obtained by ABC News, the two decided to take a swim, only to be caught by a massive wave.
Authorities now believe Konanki drowned. Yet, with no body recovered and no definitive evidence, her family refuses to accept this as the final answer.
Lingering doubts and a desperate search
Rescue teams launched an all-out effort to find her, deploying helicopters, drones, and boats to scour the turquoise waters of Bávaro Beach. On land, investigators combed the white sands for any sign of the missing student.
The young man last seen with her was questioned by authorities, though officials have not clarified whether he is also a Pitt student. His account aligns with the drowning theory, but Konanki’s family remains unconvinced.
Father’s plea: ‘This doesn’t add up’
Sudiksha’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, has been vocal in his doubts. He traveled to the Dominican Republic, pleading with authorities to expand the investigation beyond the water.
“They’re only searching the ocean, but what if she was taken? What if this wasn’t an accident?” he said. “We don’t think she could survive this long in the water, but that doesn’t mean she drowned. We need answers.”
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where Konanki lived, echoed similar skepticism. “The idea of her drowning is based on her last known location near the beach, but there’s no hard evidence to support that conclusion at this time.”
A mystery without closure
Konanki was last seen wearing a brown bikini, bracelets on both arms, and an anklet. Authorities say there’s still no trace of her.
With pressure mounting from both US and Indian officials, investigators are facing scrutiny over whether they reached a conclusion too soon. Until evidence emerges to confirm what truly happened to Sudiksha Konanki, the mystery of her disappearance continues to haunt her family, friends, and the quiet shores of Punta Cana.