Family of missing university student speak out after she disappeared while on spring break trip with friends
Poppy Bilderbeck
Featured Image Credit: Defensa Civil Dominicana
The family of Pittsburgh University student Sudiksha Konanki have implored authorities to consider all options in the search for the missing student.
On March 3, the 20-year-old student arrived at a resort in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic along with five other college friends, Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said.
Sudiksha was last seen on March 6 at around 4.15am when she was seen on CCTV entering the beach at the Riu República Hotel, Dominican National Police report.
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CCTV footage later revealed five women and a man leaving the beach at around 5.55am but Sudiksha was not spotted among them.
When Sudiksha failed to return, the group she was with searched for her and when they couldn't find her, notified authorities, a police source told CNN.
A missing person report was filed by Sudiksha's father, Subbarayudu Konanki, later that day after she failed to return.
The dad told the outlet: "Her friends came back after some time and my daughter did not come back, did not show up from the beach."
A search was immediately launched by authorities reportedly with a focus on the beach and water, however, Subbarayudu and friend of the family Ramprakash Krishnamanaidu filed a record of complaint over the weekend, imploring authorities to widen the investigation and 'investigate multiple options like kidnapping or abduction' too.
Subbarayudu told WTOP News: "It’s four days, and if she was in water, she would likely have been strewn to shore.
"She’s not found, so we’re asking them to investigate multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction."
The complaint argues 'while it is possible that Sudiksha drowned, there is a growing suspicion that there may be a crime, specifically the possibility of kidnapping'.
"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," it states. "In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request that the authorities take immediate steps to investigate not only the possibility of an accidental drowning, but also the possibility of a kidnapping or foul play."
Yesterday (March 10), Dominican National Police took to Twitter to reveal it's 'strengthen[ing]' its search - 're-interviewing all individuals and expanding the forensic analysis of video surveillance footage'.
The post reads: "[Translation] Continuing the investigation into the disappearance of Konanki Sudiksha Chowdary, a 20-year-old of Indian origin and U.S. resident, the National Police, together with the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the International Liaison of the U.S. embassy in the country, have formed a high-level commission to monitor the case."
The 'new phase' of the investigation process reportedly began with 're-interviews of individuals who were previously with the missing woman in time and space' and saw hotel employees alongside Sudiksha's companions interviewed to 'verify her movements, interactions and any relevant details'.
'All necessary resources' are being poured into finding the college student, including 'personal and technological tools' such as 'specialized marine equipment'.
"As for the investigation, a team of forensic technicians is working on an exhaustive analysis of footage captured by video surveillance cameras from the young woman’s arrival in the country with her foreign companions on March 3rd through the present," it adds.
![Dominican National Police took to Twitter to reveal it's 'strengthen[ing]' it's search (Twitter/ @PoliciaRD)](https://resizer.ladbiblegroup.com/unsafe/rs:fit:3840:0:0:0/g:sm/q:70/aHR0cHM6Ly9ldS1pbWFnZXMuY29udGVudHN0YWNrLmNvbS92My9hc3NldHMvYmx0OTQ5ZWE4ZTE2ZTQ2MzA0OS9ibHQ0ZDM5ZDFlNDBmOGMwY2JlLzY3ZDAwNTBjM2ZmY2UwNGY0NzNjYjJmOS9kb21pbmljYW4tcG9saWNlLmpwZWc.webp)
The statement resolves: "All institutions involved in this critical search effort, such as the Army, Navy, and Air Force of the Dominican Republic, as well as the Civil Defense and other relief organizations, will adopt the strategic measures of the national and international commission that are deepening this process.
"[...] The FBI and International Liason are reported as having 'enhanced their involvement too."
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021.
UNILAD has contacted Dominican National Police for comment.