CNN
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Authorities within the Dominican Republic are interviewing a younger man believed to have been with a lacking pupil from the College of Pittsburgh proper earlier than her disappearance in Punta Cana, a neighborhood police supply advised CNN.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old United States resident, was final seen on surveillance digicam with seven different individuals getting into the seashore on the Riu República Lodge in Punta Cana after 4.15 a.m. Thursday, the Dominican Nationwide Police stated in a press release.
Police stated she arrived within the nation on Monday with 5 different individuals. It discovered of her disappearance after 8 a.m. Friday by means of a name from the US Embassy in Santo Domingo.
The police investigation was capable of set up that round 5:55 a.m. Thursday, surveillance cameras captured 5 ladies and one man leaving the seashore, in line with the supply. Konanki is believed to have stayed behind with a younger man, the supply stated.
Later surveillance video exhibits the person leaving the seashore space at 9:55 a.m., the supply stated, with no signal of Konanki.
Authorities have interviewed the younger man to find out what occurred when the 2 have been alone. The Dominican Police stated it’s broadening the investigation to corroborate the preliminary model provided by him.
Police are additionally questioning others final seen with Konanki on Thursday to ascertain the place their maritime search must be centered.
Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, advised CNN that his daughter had gone to Punta Cana for spring break, forward of pre-med research at Pittsburgh.
“My daughter is a really good lady. She’s bold. She wished to pursue a profession in drugs.” He stated his daughter needs to be a physician.
His daughter advised her associates Wednesday that she was heading to a celebration on the resort, he stated.
“She went to the seashore on March 6 early morning round 4 a.m. with associates and another guys they met on the resort. After that, her associates got here again after a while and my daughter didn’t come again, didn’t present up from the seashore,” her father stated.
Her associates later alerted authorities when she wasn’t in her room, her father stated.
“Up to now, the authorities, a number of authorities right here within the Dominican Republic have searched within the waters. They searched utilizing helicopters and different instruments. In addition they searched within the close to bay, bushes, bushes. They went a number of instances across the identical areas,” Subbarayudu Konanki stated.
Konanki’s companions had reported her lacking round 4 p.m. Thursday native time, along with her final sighting some 12 hours earlier at 4 a.m., the Riu lodge chain stated in a press release.
“We wish to specific our sincerest empathy in the direction of the household and associates throughout this very tough time. The security and wellbeing of our company are our highest precedence, and we’re dedicated to doing every part doable to help on this state of affairs,” the assertion stated.
The lodge chain stated employees have been serving to authorities of their search.
Konanki was on the resort with 5 different feminine college students from the College of Pittsburgh, in line with the sheriff’s workplace in Loudoun County, Virginia, the place she is a resident.
The Konanki household, initially from India, has lived in america since 2006 and are everlasting residents.
The sheriff’s workplace stated they have been contacted Thursday night and have adopted up with “federal legislation enforcement, the US State Division and contacts within the Dominican Republic.”
“The embassy of India within the DR has taken the lead working with our state division and law-enforcement on the bottom. Our workplace is supporting these efforts and persevering with to analyze regionally,” the sheriff’s workplace stated in a press release to CNN.
The Dominican Nationwide Emergency System is coordinating search efforts on the island for Konanki.
“In coordination with the Tourism Police, the Civil Protection, the Dominican Navy, the Nationwide Police, and different rescue organizations, 4 groups of drones geared up with superior know-how have been deployed to conduct a radical search within the coastal space of Bávaro,” the service stated in a press release issued on Sunday.
The College of Pittsburgh urged anybody with info to contact the Loudoun County Sherrif’s Workplace.
“College officers are involved with Sudiksha Konanki’s household in addition to authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, and we’ve provided our full assist of their efforts to search out her and convey her residence safely,” the College of Pittsburgh stated in a press release emailed to CNN.
Subbarayudu Konanki stated he needs native authorities to broaden their investigation.
“They’re solely wanting within the water, however I would like them to additionally examine different potentialities together with whether or not it is a case of kidnapping or human trafficking,” he stated.
“We don’t suppose she would have the ability to survive for greater than three days within the water and I feel one thing else may’ve occurred to her,” he advised CNN from Punta Cana on Sunday.
The US State Division has issued a stage two journey advisory in place for the Dominican Republic, warning US residents to train elevated warning when visiting.
“Violent crime, together with armed theft, murder, and sexual assault, is a priority all through the Dominican Republic,” the department said in a June 2024 travel advisory.
The State Division urged US guests to concentrate on their environment and to not show indicators of wealth.
The Embassy of India stated on Fb that it was “extending all help in coordination with authorities authorities of the Dominican Republic.”
This story has been up to date with extra info.
