The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student who went missing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, have come to terms with the tragic possibility that she has drowned. Following her disappearance on March 6 during a spring break trip, their heartbreaking statement, shared with local media, expressed a need for privacy as they cope with their loss.
According to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, the family believes that Sudiksha drowned, although the final determination rests with Dominican authorities. In an emotional video statement, her father acknowledged the difficulty of accepting such a conclusion, while her mother wept alongside him.
Sudiksha, a student at the University of Pittsburgh from Loudoun County, was last observed at the beach during early morning hours with an unnamed individual who is under scrutiny by law enforcement. This man, who remains unnamed due to not having been charged, attended a court hearing in Higüey on Tuesday, but details regarding the proceedings have not been released.
The young woman, who arrived in the Dominican Republic on March 3, was staying at the Hotel Riu Republica with five friends. Following her disappearance, an extensive search initiated by local police, assisted by the U.S. Embassy and FBI, has involved drones, helicopters, divers, boats, and other resources. More than 300 agents have participated in the hunt around the beach and surrounding environments, as the investigation continues into her whereabouts.
