Authorities are conducting a widespread search for Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from Loudoun County, Virginia, who has been reported missing while vacationing in the Dominican Republic. The efforts come in response to her disappearance from the RIU Republica Resort in Punta Cana, where she was last seen in the early hours of March 6.

Details of the Disappearance

According to information released by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Konanki was last spotted at approximately 4:50 a.m. on March 6 on the beach of the resort she was staying at. She is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes. At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing:

• A brown two-piece bikini
• Large round earrings
• A metal designer anklet on her right leg
• Yellow and steel bracelets on her right hand
• A multicolored beaded bracelet on her left hand

Family and University Response

Concerns regarding Konanki’s whereabouts prompted communication between local law enforcement and the U.S. State Department, leading to an expanded investigation. The University of Pittsburgh, where she is a student, has also expressed its full support for her family during this distressing time. A spokesperson stated, “University officials are in contact with Sudiksha Konanki’s family as well as authorities in Loudoun County, Virginia, and we have offered our full support in their efforts to find her and bring her home safely.”

Search Efforts Underway

The Dominican Republic’s local authorities have mobilized an extensive search operation involving multiple agencies, including:

• Dominican Civil Defense
• Local firefighters
• The Dominican Navy
• The National Police
• Politur, the tourist police of the country

Fernando Castillo, the head of the Dominican Civil Defense in the area, indicated that specialized units have been engaged since Saturday to locate Konanki. The search operations have included aerial surveillance, with helicopters and drones being deployed to monitor the beach vicinity.

Contact Information for Assistance

Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding Sudiksha Konanki’s whereabouts to come forward. You can contact local police in the Dominican Republic at +1 (829) 618-7635 or reach out to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at +1 (703) 777-1021.