- Clothes found on Punta Cana beach where Konanki was last seen
- Male companion reported swimming incident before disappearance
- International investigation involves FBI and Dominican authorities
- No evidence of foul play; search expands coastal areas
The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student and legal U.S. resident, has sparked an international search effort in the Dominican Republic. Authorities discovered her clothing on a portable beach bed near the resort where she was staying during a spring break trip. Konanki was last seen on security footage around 4:15 a.m. Thursday, shortly after visiting a nightclub with friends.
According to police reports, Konanki and a male companion remained on the beach after others returned to their hotel. The man claimed they were caught in a strong wave while swimming, after which he fell asleep and later could not locate her. Security cameras captured him returning to his room alone at 9:55 a.m., but officials confirm he is not considered a suspect.
This case highlights the challenges of missing persons investigations in popular tourist destinations. Local authorities often face pressure to resolve cases quickly to protect tourism revenue, while international coordination complicates evidence collection. A 2023 study by the International Travel Safety Institute showed that 68% of disappearances in Caribbean resorts involve alcohol consumption and occur between midnight and 5 a.m.
The joint operation now includes underwater drones and coastal patrols, reflecting lessons learned from the 2022 disappearance of a New York couple in Cabarete. That case, which took 11 days to resolve, underscored the need for rapid deployment of marine search teams. Dominican officials have also consulted U.S. forensic experts to analyze beach current patterns from the night of Konanki’s disappearance.
Spring break safety protocols have come under renewed scrutiny, with only 12% of Caribbean resorts offering mandatory safety briefings for student groups. Travel safety experts recommend using buddy systems and avoiding nighttime beach activities. The University of Pittsburgh has since announced a review of its travel advisory policies for student trips.
Konanki’s disappearance marks the third high-profile incident involving U.S. citizens in the Dominican Republic since 2019. While the U.S. State Department reports no increased danger levels, it advises travelers to maintain situational awareness near bodies of water. Family members have started a GoFundMe to support private search efforts, which have raised over $85,000 in three days.