Sudiksha Konaki missing: Family questions drowning theory, suspects possible kidnapping

Pittsburgh: The family of missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki reportedly believes she may have fallen victim to a crime. The 20-year-old Indian-origin woman mysteriously disappeared while on a spring break holiday in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. She was last seen at the Riu Republica Resort beach on 6 March around 4:50 am.

Local authorities suspect Konanki may have drowned after jumping into the ocean. However, a complaint filed to intensify search efforts raised concerns of potential foul play, stating that “while it is possible that Sudiksha drowned, there is a growing suspicion that there may be a crime, specifically the possibility of kidnapping,” WTOP reported.

Father questions drowning theory

“It’s four days, and if she was in water, she would likely have been strewn to shore,” Konanki’s father, Subbarayudu Konanki, told the outlet. “She’s not found, so we’re asking them to investigate multiple options, like kidnapping or abduction.”

Subbarayudu, along with his wife and two family friends, travelled from their home in Virginia to Punta Cana after learning about Sudiksha’s disappearance. They filed a criminal complaint urging Dominican authorities to “take immediate steps to investigate not only the possibility of an accidental drowning, but also the possibility of a kidnapping or foul play.”

Unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance

The complaint highlighted a peculiar detail that 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.

An earlier report by the Dominican Republic outlet Listin Diario stated that investigators were questioning a “young man” who was seen swimming at the beach with Konanki shortly before she was last seen.

However, it remains unclear if the man is one of her classmates from school. officials are also questioning the group of classmates from the University of Pittsburgh who were on the trip with her to verify the man’s account.