University of Pittsburgh student drowns on spring break in Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student named Sudiksha Konanki disappeared under mysterious circumstances during her spring break vacation in Punta Cana. Last seen on the beach with acquaintances made during her trip, she was reported missing early on March 6, 2025. Her friends realized she was missing later that day, prompting an extensive search involving local authorities and U.S. investigators. Konanki was part of a group of seven female students who had been staying at the RIU Republic Resort. According to reports, Konanki had gone to a nightclub prior to her disappearance and was last captured on security footage around 4:15 a.m. on March 6. Investigators indicated that she was last seen swimming with a male acquaintance who remained on the beach after the rest of the group returned to their hotel. Authorities confirmed that a significant wave might have been involved when Konanki and this individual attempted to swim. Local police are interviewing the last people who interacted with her, including her friends and hotel staff, to piece together the timeline of events leading to her disappearance. They are also reviewing phone records and conducting thorough searches of the beach area. Following her presumed drowning, officials expressed their condolences to Konanki's family, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the cooperative efforts between U.S. and Dominican authorities. While an initial report indicated a timestamp discrepancy related to the last sighting of the man who was with Konanki, police have clarified that he is cooperating but remains under scrutiny as they work to determine the circumstances surrounding her death. Konanki, a permanent resident of the United States, originally hailed from India and was described as a bright student by family and friends. Her abrupt disappearance and presumed drowning have left her community and family searching for answers as they navigate the emotional aftermath of this tragedy and the unanswered questions surrounding the events leading to her death. In the wake of her disappearance, the local sheriff's office filed for Interpol's yellow notice to formally identify Konanki as a missing person. The ongoing investigation not only seeks to understand the circumstances of the drowning but also aims to bring clarity to her family about what transpired during her last moments, raising essential questions regarding safety measures for travelers and the potential hazards associated with ocean swimming on foreign vacations.