Investigations press on after Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student at the University of Pittsburgh, vanished in the Dominican Republic last Thursday. Konanki had been visiting Punta Cana with friends for spring break.
Konanki was last seen with a group of five women at a beach before sunrise, according to USA Today. They were accompanied by two men. Konanki’s friends left the beach with one of the men at approximately 6 a.m. Surveillance cameras captured the other man, identified as 24-year-old American tourist Joshua Steven Riibe by the Daily Mail, leaving the beach without Konanki hours later.
Police believe the two were swimming shortly before the student’s disappearance. Her clothes were found on a portable beach bed nearby, ABC News reported. Police have not found any signs of foul play.
Riibe later told investigators he and Konanki were swimming before being caught by a large wave. He said he reached the shore and fell asleep.
Konanki’s parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi, traveled to Punta Cana after being notified of the incident, per WTOP News.
Konanki is a resident of Loudoun County, VA and has Indian citizenship. Authorities in the Dominican Republic, its Indian embassy, Virginia and the FBI have been investigating her disappearance, with Dominican Republic officials suspecting Konanki may have drowned.
The Dominican National Police have also employed helicopters, drones, boats, and divers in search of the 20-year-old student.
The police are questioning everyone involved in the incident, including Konanki’s friends, Riibe and hotel employees. No charges have been filed.
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