Search Intensifies for Missing Pittsburgh Student in Punta Cana

News Summary

Authorities in Punta Cana are ramping up their search for Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student reported missing during a beach outing. Sudiksha was last seen late at night on March 6. Local law enforcement and the Dominican National Emergency System are utilizing advanced technology in their ongoing search efforts. Family, friends, and the university community are rallying for her safe return while the investigation into her disappearance unfolds.

Authorities Intensify Search for Missing University of Pittsburgh Student in Punta Cana

The search for a missing University of Pittsburgh student, **Sudiksha Konanki**, has entered a critical phase as local authorities ramp up efforts in the picturesque locale of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Sudiksha, a 20-year-old Indian national and a permanent U.S. resident, was reported missing after an exciting start to her spring break vacation.

Last Seen During Late-Night Beach Outing

Friends reported that Sudiksha was last seen at around **4 a.m.** on March 6, 2025, heading towards the beach at the Riu República Hotel with a group of seven others. Surveillance footage shows five women and one man leaving the beach hours later at approximately **5:55 a.m.** However, it appears that Sudiksha remained behind on the beach with a young man, who later left the area alone at **9:55 a.m.**, without any sign of her.

Investigation Underway

Local law enforcement is currently interviewing this young man to gather details about their time together on the beach. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are using various methods to search every nook and corner for any clues regarding Sudiksha’s whereabouts.

Search Efforts Expand

The Dominican National Emergency System is coordinating the search efforts, utilizing advanced technology such as drones and helicopters. **Four teams of drones**, equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities, have been deployed in the coastal area of Bávaro to scour the region thoroughly. Despite these concentrated efforts, searches in the surrounding waters, bays, and foliage have not yet yielded any results.

Family and Friends Concerned

Sudiksha’s father, **Subbarayudu Konanki**, has been actively involved, sharing that his daughter was on the trip to enjoy some time off before embarking on her pre-med studies. He describes her as **ambitious** and incredibly focused on pursuing a career in medicine. Friends mentioned that she was eager to join a party at the resort that evening, highlighting how much she wanted to enjoy her time in paradise, unaware of the impending worry.

Community Support and Collaboration

The Riu hotel chain has expressed empathy for the Konanki family and is actively assisting local authorities with the ongoing search. The **U.S. State Department** has also issued a level two travel advisory for the Dominican Republic, reminding travelers to remain vigilant due to concerns about violent crime.

International Collaboration

The Embassy of India is collaborating closely with Dominican authorities and U.S. agencies to ensure that every possible avenue is explored in the case of the missing student. Meanwhile, the Konanki family continues to communicate with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office and other involved authorities, seeking updates at every turn.

Details Surrounding Sudiksha

According to her missing poster, Sudiksha stands at **5 feet 3 inches**, has lovely black hair and expressive brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown bikini along with several accessories, adding to the details surrounding her sudden disappearance. Eyewitnesses recall seeing her socializing with other girls and some local men at the resort prior to her vanishing.

University Support

The University of Pittsburgh is also staying in close touch with Sudiksha’s family and providing them with full support during this distressing time. The university community is undoubtedly rallying around the Konanki family as everyone hopes for a positive outcome.

As the search continues, the focus remains on bringing Sudiksha home safely. Community leaders, law enforcement, and her family are determined to leave no stone unturned in the quest to find her.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• CNN
• Fox News
• ABC News
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
• People
• Wikipedia: Missing Person
• Google Search: Sudiksha Konanki Missing
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Missing Person
• Google News: Sudiksha Konanki