The hunt for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh scholar who vanished in the Dominican Republic last year, has taken a tragic turn. Officials then suspect she was swept away by a strong wave while swimming off a Punta Cana shore in the first days of Thursday morning, according to reports by New York Post. But issues remain—was it truly an accident, or is there more to the account?
A day on the shore turns into a problem
Konanki, a beautiful pre-med scholar and constitutional US citizen, had traveled with five friends from Pitt for what was supposed to be a happy spring break in the Caribbean. On Wednesday evening, she and six people strolled along the shore at the Riu República Hotel. By the time the evening wound along, most of the party had left—except for Konanki and one other man, reported ABC News.
Surveillance footage captured her at 4: 15 am, still on the dust with a younger man whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. What happened next remains a matter of research, but according to a police report obtained by ABC News, the two decided to take a swim, only to be caught by a huge storm.
Officials then believe Konanki drowned. However, with no body recovered and no comprehensive evidence, her household refuses to accept this as the ultimate answer.
Lingering questions and a determined search
Rescue groups launched an all-out effort to find her, deploying helicopters, drones, and ships to sweep the blue waters of Bávaro Beach. On land, researchers combed the bright sand for any indication of the missing student.
The young man last seen with her was questioned by government, though authorities have no clarified whether he is also a Pitt student. His account coincides with the drowning idea, but Konanki’s family remains skeptical.
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Sudiksha’s parents, Subbarayudu Konanki, has been outspoken in his concerns. He traveled to the Dominican Republic, pleading with officials to develop the inspection beyond the ocean.
” They’re only searching the ocean, but what if she was taken? What if this wasn’t an mishap”? he said. ” We don’t think she could live this much in the ocean, but that doesn’t mean she drowned. We need responses”.
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office in Loudoun County, Virginia, where Konanki lived, echoed similar suspicion. ” The idea of her sinking is based on her next recognized place near the beach, but there’s no hard evidence to support that finish at this time”.
A secret without closing
Konanki was last seen wearing a brown bra, beads on both hands, and an anklet. Officials say there’s still no sign of her.
With stress mounting from both US and Indian officers, authorities are facing scrutiny over whether they reached a conclusion very quickly. Until information emerges to verify what really happened to Sudiksha Konanki, the secret of her departure continues to haunt her family, friends, and the peaceful shores of Punta Cana.
