Father of missing US student in the Dominican Republic asks authorities to expand search
The father of a 20-year-old college student missing in the Dominican Republic since Thursday has asked authorities to expand their search after failing to find her body in the waters off the resort town of Punta Cana.
Subbarayudu Konanki told WTOP-FM he wants authorities to pivot from the assumption that Sudiksha Konanki drowned and consider "multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction." The radio station reported that a complaint seeking to broaden the investigation was filed on Sunday.
"Her belongings, including personal items like her phone and wallet, were left with her friends, which is unusual because she always carried her phone with her," the record of the complaint obtained by WTOP-FM stated.
Subbarayudu Konanki and his wife traveled to the Dominican after being notified that their daughter was missing. The University of Pittsburgh student had traveled to the island with five girlfriends a week ago on a spring break trip. Authorities say she was last seen early Thursday on the beach with friends.
In a statement, police said surveillance cameras captured five women and one man leaving the beach at about 6 a.m. Thursday. Konanki apparently stayed behind with a man, and surveillance video shows him leaving the beach area hours later without her.
In an update Tuesday, the Dominican Republic National Police said it has worked with the Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the International Liaison of the U.S. Embassy to establish a "high-level commission" to oversee the investigation.
As part of the process, local police are re-interviewing "targeted individuals" who were nearby and with Konanki at the time of her disappearance, including hotel employees. Dominican National Police said the goal is to gather information and corroborate Konanki's movements, interactions, and any relevant details for the case.
Law enforcement agencies have also strengthened technological tools by bringing in specialized marine search teams and a team of forensic specialists, according to Dominican National Police. Forensic specialists will analyze surveillance footage and tracking images from when Konanki arrived in the country on March 3 to the present.
Man reportedly tells authorities student missing after swim
The Dominican news outlet El Nacional, citing authorities close to the investigation, said the man told authorities they went into the water and that he returned to the beach and passed out − and that she had disappeared when he woke up. The outlet also reported that some of Konanki's clothes were found on a beach chair with no signs of violence.
CNN, citing local authorities, said the man told police different versions of the story. He told authorities they both went into the ocean but he felt sick, got out of the water and fell asleep on a lounge chair, according to the source. The man said Konanki may have been swept away by a wave but also said she may have left when he got out of the water. He also said he saw her walking along the beach with the water up to her knees in the direction of where she had left her clothes, the source said.
The police statement says only that the man was cooperating with authorities who were attempting to "corroborate the version" of events − without providing details. Dominican police did not respond to a Paste BN request for additional information.
Journey safely: Sign up for Paste BN's Travel newsletter for tips.
Konanki family seeks privacy
Konanki is a native of India whose family lives in Loudoun County, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C. The family issued a statement Monday saying they were no longer speaking with the media.
"The Konanki family is going through an incredibly difficult time, and we are deeply saddened," the statement said. "We kindly request privacy as we cope with this challenging moment together."
Konanki's LinkedIn profile says she is a 2022 graduate of the prestigious Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Virginia. Missing person posters describe Konanki as 5 feet 3 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. Konanki was last seen wearing a brown bikini, big round earrings, a metal designer anklet on her right leg, yellow and steel bracelets on her right wrist and a multicolored beaded bracelet on her left wrist, according to the posters.
Sheriff's office files for worldwide police alert
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office issued a statement saying Konanki was a permanent resident of the United States and that the office said it was "actively assisting" in the investigation.
The statement said the office was working closely with authorities from the State Department, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations and the University of Pittsburgh police "in support of the ongoing investigation by the Dominican National Police."
The sheriff's office added that it has filed for a Yellow Notice, a worldwide police alert for missing persons. The alert is issued by Interpol. The sheriff's office noted that there has been "considerable public speculation" about the case.
"We caution anyone from drawing any unsubstantiated conclusions and are committed to ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted before any conclusions are reached," the sheriff's office said.