The mysterious disappearance of an American college student in the Dominican Republic has captured national and international attention.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Loudoun County, Virginia, was last seen walking on a beach outside the five-star RIU Republica Resort in the early morning hours of March 6. She has yet to be located.
Here is what we know so far about the events leading up to and after Konanki’s disappearance:
March 5
Konanki was in the Dominican Republic, staying at the RIU Republica Resort with a group of six female Pitt students, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office.
She was seen walking on the beach with six people that evening prior to her disappearance, three Dominican officials told ABC News. Most of the group returned to the hotel that night, but one person stayed behind with Konanki on the beach into the early morning hours of March 6, ABC News reported, citing an investigative police report.
March 6
Konanki was last seen after 4 a.m. walking on the beach outside the resort, according to a flyer being circulated online.
La Policia Nacional, the country’s national police force, said a male friend who was with Konanki around the time of her disappearance is under investigation. It is unclear who the "young man" is, but police said he was in the water at the same beach, and they are questioning him to corroborate his version of events.
Local outlet Noticias SIN reported that the man, who was also a guest at the resort, gave several different versions of what happened. He claimed he entered the water with Konanki but felt sick due to rough surf, so he returned to shore, leaving her in the water. In another version, he said he left her in knee-deep water before falling asleep on the beach. He also claimed to have seen her walking on the beach before he lost consciousness.
March 8
The Embassy of India in the Dominican Republic said it is working with the State Department and local law enforcement, according to a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
Defensa Civil Dominicana, a search and rescue force, conducted a full day’s search but found no trace of Konanki. Operations were scheduled to resume on Sunday.
RIU Hotels released a statement confirming that one of its guests had been missing since March 6. The hotel said it is working closely with local authorities, including the police and navy, to conduct a thorough search.
March 9
Defensa Civil Dominicana resumed its search for Konanki at 6 a.m.
March 10
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares told "Fox & Friends" that his office is "still in the information-gathering stage."
"Her friends have all been accounted for, that is the good news," he said. "Our heart breaks for the family. We want to find her, hopefully safe and sound. Right now, there is just so much that we don’t know."
When asked about a report that Konanki may have drowned, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said authorities "have heard this and have seen no evidence presented at this time." Investigators are still interviewing individuals who may have seen or been with her, reviewing surveillance footage, and examining phone records to determine what happened.
Ongoing Efforts
The search for Konanki continues, with authorities and rescue teams working tirelessly to locate her. The case has drawn widespread concern, with many hoping for her safe return.
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Fox News’ Michael Dorgan, Greg Norman, Lorraine Taylor, and Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @audpants.
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