Investigators are working to find a missing University of Pittsburgh student last seen at a resort in the Dominican Republic.
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, went missing Thursday in a resort area of Punta Cana, according to a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia. Konanki is also a citizen of India.
Konanki traveled to Punta Cana with five other women who are all Pitt students. The group of women reported Konanki missing on Thursday evening, the spokesperson confirmed.
NBC News reports that authorities are questioning a young man who is believed to have been with Konanki before she went missing.
Konanki was seen on surveillance cameras near the beach with several people around 4 a.m. on Thursday. A short time later, cameras captured five women and a man leaving the beach, while Konanki is believed to have remained alone with a young man, according to NBC News. The man was captured on cameras leaving the beach alone shortly before 10 a.m.
Police say they are also questioning others last seen with Konanki on Thursday to establish where their search should be focused.
The spokesperson says the Department of State has been contacted and the embassy of India in the Dominican Republic is taking the lead, working closely with local law enforcement. Loudoun County authorities are also supporting the investigation.
A Pitt spokesperson said in a statement that the university has been in contact with Konanki’s family.
“We have offered our full support in their efforts to find her and bring her home safely,” the statement reads in part.
Defensa Civil says it’s conducting an extensive search for Konanki in coordination with several institutions.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson says, “it is our understanding that the US is deploying considerable federal assets” to locate Konanki and support the Dominican National Police.
The Pitt spokesperson suggests that anyone with information on Konanki’s whereabouts call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021.
The resort that Konanki was staying at released the following statement:
“At RIU Hotels, we are deeply concerned about the disappearance of one of our guests, who has not been seen since the early hours of yesterday. From the moment her absence was reported, 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. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest priority, and we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to assist in this situation.
“Our team is providing full support to the authorities in the search, and an emergency protocol has been activated to ensure that all necessary measures are taken. Additionally, we have established an internal communication channel so that any of our employees, across our five hotels in Punta Cana, who may have relevant information can share it with us or the authorities.
“We are grateful to everyone involved in this search and will continue working hand in hand with the relevant authorities to clarify what has happened.”
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