 (1).png)
17 hours ago
1
Nearly a week after Sudiksha Konanki went missing in the Dominican Republic, Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, have identified a person of interest in the US investigation.
College Student Sudiksha Konanki Missing on Spring Break in Dominican Republic
Those searching for Sudiksha Konanki may be closer to finding answers.
Nearly a week after the University of Pittsburgh student disappeared during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, where Konanki’s family resides, have identified a person of interest, they told NBC News.
While the Virginia-based authorities are not involved in the Dominican Republic’s investigation, they told NBC News that they’ve sent detectives to the Dominican Republic resort town of Punta Cana to assist on the U.S. side, where they have found a person of interest who has been interviewed at length, authorities said.
Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Thomas Julia emphasized to NBC News, “This is not the same thing as a suspect as this is not a criminal matter. It is still a missing person case.”
Meanwhile, Dominican Republic authorities—three of whom told ABC News they believe Konanki died by drowning despite no body being recovered—have not confirmed whether this individual is a person of interest in their own investigation.
Konanki, 20, disappeared March 6 in Punta Cana during a spring break trip with five other female college students. Loudon County authorities told NBC News that Konanki vanished just after 4:15 a.m., having been seen with a group of her friends around that time.
In the days since the investigation began, Loudon County authorities say they have found “inconsistencies” in witness statements taken from the night in question by Dominican authorities, which include the five girls Konanki was vacationing with, as well as a young man who was with the group at the time.
TikTok/Sudiksha Konanki
“It's my understanding that the people that were with her and witnesses that were there have been interviewed several times,” Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman told NewsNation’s Banfield in a March 10 interview. “I believe on several occasions there have been some inconsistencies with their very own stories. That does bother me here, which really begs the question, what really happened there?”
For everything to know about Konanki’s disappearance, keep reading…
(E! News and NBC News are both a part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Facebook / Sudiksha Konanki
Where Did Sudiksha Konanki Travel to
for Spring Break?
Sudiksha Konanki traveled to the Dominican Republic on March 3.
Facebook / Sudiksha Konanki
Who Did Sudiksha Konanki Travel With?
The 20-year-old headed to the Dominican Republic with five friends to celebrate the Universtiy of Pittsburgh's spring break.
Cristina Arias/Cover/Getty Image
Where Was Sudiksha Konanki Staying?
Konanki had been staying at the Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana, an all-inclusive resort.
Following her disappearance, the hotel told NBC News, "We have been working closely with the local authorities, including the police and the navy, to conduct a thorough search. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time … we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to assist in this situation."
TikTok/Sudiksha Konanki
When Was Sudiksha Konanki Reported Missing?
Konanki was reported missing on March 6 after her friends returned from a beach walk without her. It is believed to have disappeared between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. that morning.
Facebook/Defensa Civil La Altagracia
When Did Search and Rescue Efforts Begin for Sudiksha Konanki?
Following her disappearance, local officials began an investigation. Local civil defense confirmed it had begun searches on land and by sea, while a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Officy in Loudoun County in Virigina—where Konanki was from—told NBC News investigations included obtaining video, going through cellphone evidence and talking to people who were with Konanki.
Facebook/Defensa Civil La Altagracia
What Do Officials Believe May Have Happened to Sudiksha Konanki?
On March 9, officials told ABC News they believe Konanki died by drowning.
According to a police report, cited by ABC News, during the walk on the beach, most of the group decided to go back to the hotel at some point during the night while one friend remained with Konanki. The pair reportedly decided to go for a swim, and the police report notes the pair were caught by a big wave.
Officials reportedly said the friends who had been with Konanki were questioned by police but had not been charged with anything.
Facebook/Defensa Civil La Altagracia
What Has Sudiksha Konanki’s Family Said About the Case?
Following Konanki’s disappearance, her father Subbarayudu Konanki told CNN his daughter had been traveling before beginning pre-med studies.
“My daughter is a very nice girl," he said. "She’s ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
English (US) ·