Investigation Ongoing for Missing University of Pittsburgh Student…

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, leading to the identification of a person of interest last seen with her. The investigation, joined by the FBI, suggests she may have drowned. Discrepancies in surveillance footage have emerged, and officials are reassuring public safety in the tourism sector.

Authorities are intensifying their search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished while on spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. A person of interest has emerged, identified as the last individual seen with her. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office has clarified that this individual is not currently a suspect in a criminal investigation, as he has not been charged at this time.

The FBI has joined the investigation, which has revealed that the person of interest is a U.S. citizen vacationing in Punta Cana. Konanki is a legal permanent resident of the U.S. and originally from India. On the night of her disappearance, she was part of a group of six female students traveling together in the area.

Authorities have indicated that Konanki is believed to have drowned. Reports revealed that she went missing in the early hours of March 6 while walking on the beach in front of the Riu República Hotel. The hotel noted that a power outage during this time led many guests to head to the beach, coinciding with her disappearance.

Dominican President Luis Abinader expressed concern over the situation. He mentioned that government agencies are collaborating on the case, stating that the last individual with Konanki suggested that a wave struck while they were on the beach. Investigators detailed that she had been out with friends at a nightclub and was last seen before dawn.

According to police findings, most of Konanki’s group returned to their hotel at approximately 5:55 a.m., while a man remained on the beach with her. Reports indicate they went for a swim, during which a wave reportedly pulled them in. Surveillance footage captured the last sighting of her around 4:15 a.m. on March 6.

The absence of Konanki went unnoticed by her friends until approximately 4 p.m. the same day, leading to initial contact with officials on March 7. Discrepancies in security footage timestamps have emerged, suggesting that the individual with her returned to his room at 8:55 a.m., instead of 9:55 a.m. as first believed.

While police have questioned the friends of Konanki, they have not faced charges. The investigation continues, with authorities confirming that no other individuals are believed to be involved in the drowning incident. President Abinader defended the safety of tourists in the Dominican Republic, emphasizing that the nation welcomes more than 11 million visitors annually, with problems being infrequent.

In summary, the investigation into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is ongoing, with authorities focusing on a U.S. citizen identified as a person of interest. Konanki appears to have drowned while swimming on a beach in Punta Cana after a night out with friends. Witness accounts and new evidence continue to shape the inquiry, with officials reassuring the public regarding tourist safety in the Dominican Republic.

Original Source: 6abc.com