Missing pitt student vanishes in Punta Cana
Missing Pitt Student Vanishes in Punta Cana in in Dominican Republic
A 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki, disappeared early Thursday morning amid a chaotic scene at the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana, Fox News reported.
According to Fox News, Konanki was last seen on the resort’s beach around 4:17 a.m. during a power outage that left many guests scrambling for safety. Surveillance footage captured her walking arm-in-arm with a young man—later identified as a person of interest—before she vanished. While the resort restored power by early morning, her whereabouts remain unknown.
Fox News noted that local authorities suspect Konanki may have drowned in rough ocean conditions, as high waves and a red flag warning were present on the beach at the time. However, her family remains unconvinced. They stress that Konanki, who was known for always carrying her phone, left her belongings behind with friends and have urged investigators to consider other possibilities, including kidnapping or human trafficking.
The search, which now involves 300 law enforcement personnel along with helicopters, drones, and dive teams, continues as authorities work to piece together her final moments. Fox News reported that while local investigators lean toward an accidental drowning, the investigation remains open with no charges filed against anyone.
