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Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Loudoun County, vanished while on vacation in Punta Cana earlier this month. Despite an aggressive search effort involving the Dominican Republic National Police, FBI, and other agencies, she has not been found.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki is ongoing in the Dominican Republic.
On Tuesday, March 18, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) confirmed that Konanki’s family has asked Dominican officials to issue a declaration of death, believing that she drowned.
“The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki is tragic, and we cannot imagine the grief her family has been feeling,” Sheriff Michael Chapman said.
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have yet to make a final determination in the case; however, Loudoun County officials say they fully support the Konanki family’s decision and will continue to assist them.
“We have supported them throughout to ensure a rigorous, wide-ranging investigation,” Chapman said. “We have also met personally with them and continue to provide emotional support through our Victim Advocate Unit.”
Investigators say Konanki was last seen around 4:15 a.m. on March 6 near a beach entrance at the resort where she was staying. Surveillance footage captured her and a friend near the shoreline, but after that, she disappeared.
Dominican authorities launched an extensive air, land, and sea search with assistance from the FBI and other emergency response teams. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office also filed a Yellow Notice through INTERPOL, issuing a global alert regarding her disappearance.
The search for Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic.
While the case remains under review, officials say they remain dedicated to assisting the Konanki family as they seek closure.
“We thank the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Dominican National Police for their dedication to this investigation and collaboration,” Chapman said.
The missing persons case remains under investigation. No criminal charges have been filed.
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