Who is Sudiksha Konanki? Indian-American student missing in Dominican Republic did not drown? Drones, dogs in search ops

Investigations into the missing case of University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki from the Dominican Republic last week are progressing, AP reported.

Sudiksha Konanki, a legal permanent resident of the United States and an Indian citizen, was among six female students who traveled to Punta Cana on spring break, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office informed.

The 20-year-old was last seen walking the beach on March 6.  Earlier reports hinted she might have drowned in the ocean, but that theory is now suspect as investigators have not been able to spot her clothes as they continue to search for her, the AP report noted.

Dominican police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are involved in the search, it added.

Who is Sudiksha Konanki?

As per the AP report, Sudiksha Konanki lives in Chantilly, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. She is an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of the US.

Her parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, have sought to widen the investigation into her disappearance.

According to the University of Pittsburgh, they have been in contact with the Konanki family and authorities in Virginia, and have offered their support in the search.

How Did Sudiksha Konanki Disappear?

The AP report citied police as saying that Sudiksha Konanki disappeared at a beach by the hotel in Punta Cana before dawn, as she and other guests left their rooms during a power outage.

The surveillance footage captured by cameras on Riu Republica Hotel premises showed Konanki walking out of the hotel with a group of friends at 4.15 am, hours before she disappeared, as per previous reports.

As per her family, Sudiksha Konanki's belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, although she's known to always carry her phone.

Sudiksha Konanki and five other female students flew to the Dominican Republic on March 3 for spring break.

What We Know So Far About The Investigation…

• Dominican police are again interviewing those who were with Sudiksha Konanki before she went missing.
• Investigators have been using drones, helicopters and detection dogs to search waters off the island's east coast.
• On March 10, Dominican President Luis Abinader said the last person known to be with Sudiksha Konanki claimed a wave crashed into them while they were on the beach.
• As per Civil Defense Director Juan Salas, investigators have not yet found her clothing.
• “The interrogations are being carried out on the individuals involved in this group, as well as on the administrative staff, the hotel that has been providing support. The review of the camera footage has also been expanded, CNN quoted a Dominican Republic National police spokesman as saying.
• A local news outlet, Listin Diario reported that Konanki had been swimming with a “young man” before the tragic incident. This individual is currently being questioned by investigators.
• Rescue teams have launched an extensive search operation using helicopters, drones, and ground crews to scour the beach and surrounding waters. Authorities said she was last seen wearing a brown bikini, bracelets on both arms, and an anklet.

(With inputs from AP)