On March 10, a member of civil protection canine unit searches for Sudiksha Konanki, a college pupil from the U.S. who disappeared on a seaside in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the prior week.
Francesco Spotorno/AP
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Francesco Spotorno/AP
An individual of curiosity has been named within the investigation of a lacking 20-year-old U.S. faculty pupil who disappeared final week within the Dominican Republic whereas on spring break with mates.
The lacking lady, Sudiksha Konanki, traveled to Punta Cana with 5 different folks final Monday, in line with the Dominican Republic’s nationwide police drive. Three days later, Konanki entered a seaside space with a gaggle at 4:15 am on Thursday close to a Riu resort, in line with surveillance video. Konanki disappeared round that point, Dominican nationwide police mentioned.
Konanki is a resident of Loudoun County, Va., and a junior on the College of Pittsburgh finding out organic sciences and chemistry on the pre-med monitor, the college advised NPR.
This is what we all know up to now concerning the case:
The individual of curiosity can be from the U.S.
Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa, is being named an individual of curiosity within the case as a result of he could have been the final individual to see Konanki, mentioned Thomas Julia, the director of media relations with the Loudoun County, Va., sheriff’s workplace, on Wednesday. He confused that this isn’t a legal investigation and Riibe is just not a suspect.
Julia mentioned he can not share what Riibe has divulged to authorities, however that there have been inconsistencies among the many tales shared by interviewees, together with Konanki’s journey companions. They haven’t been publicly named, however considered one of them is being investigated, the Dominican nationwide police mentioned Sunday.
A problem authorities are dealing with is that many who might be useful to the investigation are U.S. vacationers and have returned dwelling because the disappearance, in line with Julia. Nevertheless, Riibe and Konanki’s mates are nonetheless being detained, he mentioned.
Who’s engaged on the investigation?
The U.S. Embassy alerted Dominican regulation enforcement of Konanki’s disappearance Friday morning, the Dominican nationwide police mentioned.
In addition they mentioned authorities are conducting a search by land, air and water, and are utilizing every little thing from drones, helicopters, divers, boats and canines, amongst different strategies.
The College of Pittsburgh mentioned in a press release it’s cooperating with the investigation, which can be being dealt with by the U.S. State Division, FBI, Division of Homeland Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration and Loudoun County sheriff’s workplace, alongside Dominican authorities.
Riu Resorts can be coordinating with authorities on the investigation.
“We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” the resort model mentioned in a press release to NPR. “The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest priority, and we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to assist in this situation.”
Konanki’s mother and father, who’ve two different youngsters in highschool, returned from the Dominican Republic to the U.S. on Wednesday. Her father is hoping for “the most extensive investigation possible,” Julia mentioned.
The Loudoun County sheriff’s workplace has additionally requested that Interpol problem a yellow discover, which is a global alert for lacking individuals, the division mentioned. When a yellow discover is issued, nations can alternate details about the individual, and their identification is flagged with border officers.
“There has been considerable public speculation about what may have happened to Konanki and who may be involved,” the division mentioned Monday. “We caution anyone from drawing any unsubstantiated conclusions and are committed to ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted before any conclusions are reached.”
