American college student Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance in Dominican Republic: timeline

The mysterious disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student from Loudoun County, Virginia, has sent shockwaves across the nation and internationally. Sudiksha was last seen in the early morning hours of March 6 while walking on a beach outside the RIU Republica Resort, a five-star hotel in the Dominican Republic where she was staying with a group of six female friends during spring break. Despite extensive search efforts and ongoing investigations, Sudiksha remains missing, leaving her family, friends, and authorities in a state of desperation and uncertainty.

The events leading up to Sudiksha’s disappearance began on the evening of March 5, when she and her group explored the beach near the resort. According to Dominican officials, Sudiksha was seen walking on the beach with three individuals that evening. While most of her friends returned to the hotel later that night, one person stayed behind with Sudiksha into the early hours of March 6. This individual, identified only as a male friend, reportedly entered the water with Sudiksha but claimed he left her after becoming unwell due to rough surf. He provided conflicting accounts of what happened next, stating in one version that he left Sudiksha in knee-deep water before passing out on the beach, and in another that he saw her walking on the beach before he fell asleep. Dominican police are now investigating this man, who was also a guest at the resort, as they work to piece together the events surrounding Sudiksha’s disappearance.

On March 6, Sudiksha’s absence was formally reported, prompting a massive search and rescue operation led by the Defensa Civil Dominicana, the Dominican Republic’s search and rescue force. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the police, navy, and local authorities, who combed the beach and surrounding areas in hopes of finding Sudiksha. The RIU Republica Resort also issued a statement expressing its deep concern for Sudiksha’s safety, emphasizing its commitment to assisting the authorities in any way possible. The resort activated an emergency protocol and provided full support to the search efforts, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

By March 8, the investigation had revealed that Sudiksha’s last known whereabouts were near the beach outside the resort, where she was seen walking alone after 4 a.m. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the U.S. State Department and the Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic, joined the efforts to locate Sudiksha. The embassy’s involvement highlighted the international nature of the case and the growing concern for Sudiksha’s safety. Despite a full day of searching on March 8, no signs of Sudiksha were found, and the operation resumed the following day with renewed determination.

As the days passed, the mystery surrounding Sudiksha’s disappearance deepened. On March 10, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares addressed the case on “Fox & Friends,” noting that authorities were still in the early stages of gathering information. He expressed his office’s commitment to finding Sudiksha and bringing closure to her family, while acknowledging the immense uncertainty surrounding the case. Meanwhile, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office clarified that there was no evidence to support the theory that Sudiksha had drowned, contrary to earlier speculation. Investigators continued to interview potential witnesses, review surveillance footage, and analyze phone records in an effort to uncover the truth.

The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki has left her family, friends, and the broader community in a state of anguish and disbelief. Her case has resonated deeply, sparking widespread concern and raising questions about the circumstances of her vanishing. As authorities continue their search and investigation, the hope remains that Sudiksha will be found safe and sound. The outpouring of support from across the globe serves as a testament to the enduring power of hope and solidarity in the face of tragedy.