Virginia sheriff opposes the story of a University of Pittsburgh student who disappeared from his county in the Dominican Republic, saying it was “too early to rule out anything.”
Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman said the disappearance of 20-year-old Suddiksha Conanki, the last seen on a beach in Punta Cana, said “American Aisha Hasney” has reported “they are pursuing all angles” in America.
“You know, Dominican authorities are working hard. They are doing interviews and looking around the phone and trying to make the best information available,” he said. “We are working with the officers and the State Department, our US Embassy and the FBI and others who have been part of this since the investigation began.”
Conanki was on vacation with five other female university students before disappearing in the early morning hours of March 6, officials said.
American college students believed to have been drowned by Big Wave: Report
Sudiksha Konanki on Facebook selfie. The 20-year-old junior at the University of Pittsburgh has been missing since March 6th. She disappeared during a spring break trip to a five-star resort in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. (Sudiksha konanki/facebook)
Conanki, who was studying Primed, was the last time he saw him walking along the beaches of a Caribbean island, three Dominican officials told ABC News.
One reportedly stayed with her until early in the morning, the outlet reported, citing an investigation police report. Authorities in the Dominican Republic said Conanki and the man went for a swim and were caught up in a huge wave.
Pitt students disappear on a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic while walking along the beach
Investigators were later questioning the “young man” who had entered the beach waters around the time Conanki disappeared. dominican republic Reported by the newspaper Listin Diario.
Chapman said “I want to turn all the rocks over” before they concluded what happened to Conanki.
“It's too early before we comment on who they are talking to and what information they are getting at this point,” he said.
Sudiksha Konanki appears in undated photos on her Tiktok profile. She was last seen on March 6th at a resort beach in Punta Cana. (@sudikshakonanki/tiktok)
On Monday, Dominican Republic authorities were using drones, helicopters and dogs to search Conanki, the Associated Press reported.
“The search is ongoing at sea as she is presumed to own death. According to the boy who was with her, the waves drove her away, but that's under police investigation,” Civil Defense spokesman Jensen Sanchez told the Associated Press.
According to WTOP, Conanki's parents flew to Punta Cana after learning about the loss of their daughter. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, and a family friend, reportedly filed a complaint Sunday to local police asking them to expand the investigation.
“In four days, if she were in the water, she would probably be scattered across the coast,” Conanki's father told WTOP. “She can't be found so I'm asking her to investigate multiple options, such as invitations and aiding.”
“Her belongings, including her cell phone and wallet, were left with her friends, which is unusual as she always had a phone with her,” the outlet quoted her father as writing in the complaint. “In light of these circumstances, I respectfully request that the authorities take immediate action to investigate not only the possibility of a chance own death, but also the possibility of a lure or foul play.”
Tourists will walk along the beach coast, partially covered by Salgassum on Bivijagua Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on May 20, 2023. (Felix Leon/AFP via Getty Images)
US Department of State – Travel Advisory
College students flock to popular spring break destinations outside the United States, including Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana. The destination is under the US State Department travel advisory, while offering vacation options to university students.
In the Dominican Republic Level 2 Travel Advisorywhich means travelers pay attention during their visits to recognize that “there is an increased risk to safety and security.”
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“The wide range of weapons availability, illegal drug use and trade, and the weak criminal justice system contribute to higher levels of crime on a wider scale,” according to the travel advisory.
Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
