Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly, Virginia, went missing during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 6, 2025. She was last seen around 4:15 a.m. near the Riu Republica Resort beach, walking with friends and two men they met at the resort. Her friends reported her missing later that afternoon when she failed to return to their room.
Dominican authorities initially suggested that Sudiksha might have drowned after being swept away by a wave while swimming. However, her family disputes this conclusion, noting that her personal belongings, including her phone and wallet, were left with her friends—a behavior they find unusual. They are urging authorities to broaden the investigation to consider other possibilities, such as kidnapping or foul play.
In response to her family’s concerns, Dominican officials have expanded their search efforts, deploying drones, helicopters, and detection dogs to comb the area. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities interviewing individuals last seen with Sudiksha to gather more information.
Sudiksha’s family has traveled to Punta Cana to assist in the search and to advocate for a more comprehensive investigation. They continue to work closely with local authorities, the U.S. State Department, and the Indian Embassy to locate her and uncover the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.