First on FOX – Former US ambassador Robin Bernstein of the Dominican Republic, who served between 2018 and 2021, warns of spring break in light of the disappearance of American university student Sudiksha Conanki from Punta Cana on March 6th.
Conanki, 20 years old University of Pittsburgh Junior Lastly from Loudoun County, Virginia, I was walking the beach outside the 5-star RIU Republica resort where I was staying with five female friends in the early hours of March 6th.
“My feelings are that the Dominican Republic is still a safe place and unfortunately, when people go on spring break or on vacation, they usually do things they don't do at home,” Berstein told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes, they don't make the best decisions. We've always told people to go out in groups, stay in groups and have wingmen.”
She also said, “Whether it's Miami Beach, Chicago, Mexico, or not, I wouldn't really advise anyone to walk alone on the beach anywhere.”
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Suddiksha Conanki, 20, from northern Virginia, was reported missing on Thursday, March 6 after disappearing from a beach in the Dominican Republic. (handouts, left, and Defensive Citizen Dominicana, right.)
Bernstein believes Dominican law enforcement officials are “great” and are working well with the FBI and homeland security investigations, according to the Dominican Republic's Prosecutor's Office.
“The Dominican Republic is doing everything it can to get this to resolve. The Dominicans are really moving at the speed of lightning.”
“I think it's unfortunate because I didn't notify anyone or anyone because she was so late that she was missing,” Bernstein said.
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Sudiksha Konanki, a US university student, went missing on March 6, 2025 while on vacation with a friend at Punta Cana. (Fox News Graphics)
Conanki went to the hotel bar with a friend, probably just before he disappeared until the early morning of March 6th. Surveillance cameras filmed videos of college students walking with a young man with his arms wrapped around his shoulders since 4am on March 6th.
View surveillance footage:
“Her last recorded image was 4:17am, when she saw her leaving the hotel bar with a group heading to the beach. RIU staff acted appropriately when notified of a loss of failure and fulfilled their obligation to notify the authorities.
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Local authorities have found that US student Sudiksha Konanki, located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is missing on March 11, 2025. (Santiago Baez from Fox News Digital)
Conanki was last seen walking on the beach outside RIU Republica around 4:50am, but her friends had not reported that she had gone missing until about 12 hours later, at 4pm on March 6th.
“Obviously, the sooner we can let someone know that there is a police and the embassy involved, the better it will be for the missing person,” Bernstein said. “…I'm happy to hear that Loudon County Sheriff is also involved because I think the hearts involved in this kind of thing really matter.
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On March 11th, 2025, I was enjoying my time at the beach at RIU Republica Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (Santiago Baez from Fox News Digital)
Bernstein “expressed the deepest sadness of her family who had experienced such a tragedy.”
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“What was supposed to be a fun holiday has really turned into a parent's worst nightmare. I have three daughters so every time I turn on the TV, my mind stops,” she said. “I hope she'll be found.”
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have said there are no suspects, and this is a missing case, not a criminal case.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is not a major agency, but he said it is working with the FBI and is sending detectives to the Dominican Republic.
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the LCSO at 703-777-1021. To stay anonymous, call Loudoun Crime Soluvers at 703-777-1919.
