Search Intensifies for Missing US Student Sudiksha Konanki in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, went missing on March 6 while vacationing in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Authorities have identified 24-year-old Joshua Ribe as a person of interest; he was seen walking with Konanki before she vanished and has provided conflicting accounts of the events that night. Surveillance footage shows them near the beach, and local police have reported that Konanki's clothes were found on the shore, leading to concerns about her safety. While Dominican authorities initially suggested she may have drowned, her family has urged for a broader investigation, expressing fears that she may have been harmed. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the FBI and Dominican authorities, and a worldwide police alert has been requested. As the search continues, over 300 volunteers have joined the efforts to locate Konanki.