A new surveillance video has emerged showing Sudiksha Konanki, the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who went missing during her spring break trip in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The footage, captured at 4:15 a.m. on March 6, shows Sudiksha leaving the lobby of the RIU Hotels and Resorts. She is seen walking arm-in-arm with a man, while two women follow closely behind as they exit the hotel, CNN reports.
Sudiksha, who was traveling with friends, was last seen on the beach near the resort around the same time.
According to the Dominican Republic National Police, surveillance footage also shows Sudiksha and the group walking toward the beach area shortly before her disappearance.
Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, told CNN that his daughter went to the beach with friends and some other men they had met at the resort.
What followed remains unclear. Sudiksha’s friends returned to the hotel around 5:55 a.m., but she never came back, leading authorities to launch a full investigation.
The last known sighting of Sudiksha on surveillance footage shows the man she was with leaving the beach around 9:55 a.m., but Sudiksha was not seen leaving with him.
The Dominican Republic National Police have confirmed that the man who was with Sudiksha is now under investigation.
Authorities are also interviewing Sudiksha’s companions to gather more information about her last known whereabouts.
Ongoing Search Efforts
The search for Sudiksha has been extensive, involving drones, helicopters, and detection dogs combing the area.
According to Civil Defense spokesman Jensen Sánchez, the search is focused on the sea as it is believed that Sudiksha may have drowned.
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The man who was with her claims that the waves swept her away, but that account remains under investigation by police.
Sudiksha’s father expressed concern over the situation, telling WTOP-FM, “If she was in the water, she would likely have been found by now. We are asking them to investigate other possibilities, such as kidnapping or abduction.”
Sources also revealed that Sudiksha’s clothes were found on the beach where she was last seen, adding to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
The FBI and the U.S. Embassy have joined the investigation, working alongside local authorities to find Sudiksha. The Embassy of India is also involved, as Sudiksha is an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of Chantilly, Virginia.
While the investigation is still in progress, no charges have been filed, and authorities continue to explore all possibilities regarding Sudiksha’s disappearance.
Her family and friends are anxiously awaiting answers as the search efforts continue.
