Investigation Progresses in the Disappearance of US Student Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana
Sudiksha Konanki, a missing U.S. student, was last seen at Punta Cana’s Riu República Hotel beach. Surveillance footage shows her with friends and a man before she vanished. Investigators are addressing potential foul play while emphasizing a thorough search for additional witnesses.
New insights surrounding the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, have emerged. Konanki went missing on March 6 at the Riu República Hotel beach in Punta Cana, leading to a comprehensive air, sea, and land search involving U.S., Dominican Republic, and Indian authorities.
Konanki, from Loudon County, Virginia, was in Punta Cana with five friends. Surveillance footage showed the group entering the hotel’s beach around 4:15 a.m. with two men, but only five women and one man were recorded leaving the beach at approximately 4:55 a.m., while Konanki reportedly stayed behind with a man in his 20s.
The man, the last known person to be with Konanki, stated that he went for a swim, felt ill, and subsequently laid down on the beach while Konanki was seen in the water. This individual is cooperating with investigators and is not deemed a suspect. Moreover, authorities are reviewing video evidence which indicates additional beachgoers were present during the timeframe of the incident.
On the night of her disappearance, severe sea conditions were reported, raising concerns over safety following a prior incident where four tourists drowned at the same beach; the currents claimed their lives in January. Initially classified as a drowning, officials have broadened the investigation scope to explore other possibilities.
General Prosecutor Yeni Berenice Reynoso emphasized the need for a thorough and comprehensive investigation by examining all variables present in the case. Konanki’s family has voiced their concerns for an expanded investigation, pointing out that her belongings were left with her friends, which they find unusual. Additionally, Subbarayudu Konanki, her father, has urged officials to consider the potential of kidnapping or human trafficking.
The investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance is ongoing, shifting focus from a presumed drowning to exploring various avenues, including possible foul play. The family is advocating for a deeper inquiry into the circumstances of her disappearance, highlighting unusual factors such as her left belongings. With the potential of additional witnesses and the urgency to gather information, the collaborative efforts by multiple authorities continue in search of clarity and resolution.
Original Source: www.cnn.com
