Indian-Origin Student Missing in the Dominican Republic; Clothes Found on Beach
Authorities in the Dominican Republic have intensified search efforts for Sudiksha Konanki, an Indian-origin student who went missing a week ago. According to local media reports, clothing believed to belong to Sudiksha was discovered on a lounge chair at Punta Cana Beach. The clothes, partially buried in the sand, were found alongside a pair of light brown sandals. CCTV footage analysis suggests that the attire matches what Sudiksha was last seen wearing.
The police are questioning Joshua Reeb, the last known person seen with Sudiksha on surveillance cameras. Officials continue to investigate his involvement, while local authorities have ramped up search operations.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from Virginia, USA, was on a vacation in the Dominican Republic with friends. She was reported missing on March 6 at around 4:00 PM. CCTV footage from earlier that morning, at approximately 4:15 AM, shows her walking along the beach with Joshua Reeb, a 22-year-old senior from Saint Cloud State University in Minnesota. At one point, they were seen holding hands, with her friends nearby.
Local media reports indicate that while her friends returned to the hotel, Sudiksha and Reeb stayed behind on the beach. Due to a power outage at the resort, some surveillance cameras were non-functional, resulting in missing footage from that time.
During questioning, Reeb reportedly provided inconsistent statements to the police. He claimed that he had tried to save Sudiksha from the waves and that she lost consciousness. Authorities are keeping him under surveillance, though they have not officially named him as a suspect. Meanwhile, Reeb’s parents have accused the police of detaining him unlawfully and questioning him without an official translator, urging a fair investigation.
As eight days have passed since Sudiksha’s disappearance, authorities have intensified their search efforts, announcing a reward for any information leading to her whereabouts. Posters describe her as 5 feet 3 inches tall, with black hair and brown eyes.
