Desperate Search Continues for Missing US College Student in Dominican Republic
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, has been missing in the Dominican Republic since Thursday. Last seen at her hotel in Punta Cana, authorities are using extensive resources to search for her, while her hometown community expresses deep concern and hope for her safe return. Investigations are ongoing without clear indications of foul play.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student from Northern Virginia, continues as she remains missing in the Dominican Republic. A student at the University of Pittsburgh, Konanki traveled with friends for spring break last week. She was last seen early Thursday morning, prompting a concerted search effort involving canines, drones, helicopters, and boats in her hometown of Chantilly, Virginia, where residents cling to hope for her safe return.
Family friend Shekar Pendem expressed concern stating, “It’s already four days and everybody is so worried.” He has known Konanki since her childhood. She was last captured on surveillance cameras around 4:15 a.m. Thursday near the beach area of her hotel in Punta Cana, following an outing with her friends.
The Loudoun County Sheriff, Mike Chapman, confirmed that police are interviewing those with whom she was last seen, including a young man present in the vicinity at the same time. Law enforcement is collaborating with federal entities, such as the FBI, exploring every lead with the belief that she is still alive. “We are going on the presumption that she’s still alive and want to make sure that we’re exhausting every possible lead that we can,” stated Sheriff Chapman.
Congressman Suhas Subramyam is advocating for the mobilization of additional resources, sharing his personal fears: “The worst nightmare… It’s really heartbreaking.” Meanwhile, Konanki’s parents have traveled to the Dominican Republic to aid in the search, while Pendem emphasized the need for an expanded search area in Punta Cana
The ongoing investigation has not yet determined whether foul play was involved in her disappearance, heightening the urgency of the efforts to locate her.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki is a pressing matter, with ongoing efforts led by local authorities and federal agencies. Community members are united in hope for her safe return, while her family actively participates in the search. The situation highlights the importance of thorough investigative measures in missing person cases and the emotional toll such incidents take on families and friends. Authorities continue to explore all avenues to uncover the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Original Source: www.wistv.com
