The parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student who went missing in Punta Cana, have expressed their belief that she drowned. Their statement followed extensive search efforts involving local authorities and the FBI.
Family Faces Heartbreak as Search for Missing Student Concludes with Drowning Assumption
Family Faces Heartbreak as Search for Missing Student Concludes with Drowning Assumption
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, disappeared during a spring break trip in the Dominican Republic, leading her family to accept the tragic likelihood she drowned.
In a heartbreaking statement, the parents of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student who went missing during her spring break in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, have voiced their acceptance of the possibility that she drowned. This announcement comes more than a week after she disappeared on March 6, prompting a large-scale search operation that captured global attention.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia confirmed that Konanki's family believes she is likely deceased, stating they will support the family as authorities continue their investigation. “Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned,” the office reported.
In an emotional appearance on Fox 5 DC, her father conveyed the family's sorrow, acknowledging the devastating reality they must confront. “Accepting that our daughter has drowned is incredibly difficult for us to process,” he said, while her mother comforted him through tears. The family has requested privacy as they grieve and begin to heal.
Konanki was last seen on a beach in Punta Cana in the early hours of March 6, alongside an unnamed friend who remains under investigation. The friend, whose identity has not been disclosed as no charges have been filed, appeared at a court hearing in Higüey, where the judge allowed him to move without police supervision, an outcome that has yet to be revealed.
After arriving in the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five friends, Konanki stayed at the Hotel Riu Republica. Her disappearance incited an extensive search involving the U.S. Embassy, local police, and the FBI, deploying drones, boats, divers, police dogs, and other resources in the effort to locate her.
With over 300 agents dedicated to the search, the authorities are continuing to analyze evidence as they explore the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The Konanki family's hopes now rest on finding solace amid the overwhelming sadness they are experiencing.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia confirmed that Konanki's family believes she is likely deceased, stating they will support the family as authorities continue their investigation. “Sudiksha’s family has expressed their belief that she drowned,” the office reported.
In an emotional appearance on Fox 5 DC, her father conveyed the family's sorrow, acknowledging the devastating reality they must confront. “Accepting that our daughter has drowned is incredibly difficult for us to process,” he said, while her mother comforted him through tears. The family has requested privacy as they grieve and begin to heal.
Konanki was last seen on a beach in Punta Cana in the early hours of March 6, alongside an unnamed friend who remains under investigation. The friend, whose identity has not been disclosed as no charges have been filed, appeared at a court hearing in Higüey, where the judge allowed him to move without police supervision, an outcome that has yet to be revealed.
After arriving in the Dominican Republic on March 3 with five friends, Konanki stayed at the Hotel Riu Republica. Her disappearance incited an extensive search involving the U.S. Embassy, local police, and the FBI, deploying drones, boats, divers, police dogs, and other resources in the effort to locate her.
With over 300 agents dedicated to the search, the authorities are continuing to analyze evidence as they explore the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The Konanki family's hopes now rest on finding solace amid the overwhelming sadness they are experiencing.
