American students’ spring break disappears “too early” to rule drowning: Sheriff
A Virginia sheriff is opposing the narrative that a missing University of Pittsburgh student from his county drowned in the Dominican Republic, saying “it’s too early to rule out anything.”
Loudon County Sheriff Mike Chapman told Fox News’ “Aishah Hasnie” on the “U.S. Report” that they are “pursuing every angle” because the 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki disappeared, who was last seen on the beach in Punta Cana.
“As you know, the Dominican authorities are working hard. They are doing interviews, looking at the phone, and trying to get the best information,” he said. “We are working with our officials, the State Department and the U.S. Embassy, and the FBI and everyone else has been involved since the investigation began.”
Officials said Kang Ki was on vacation with five other Pittsburgh female students before she disappeared early on March 6.
American university students are believed to have drowned in big waves: Report
Sudiksha Konanki in Facebook selfie photo. The 20-year-old Pittsburgh junior has disappeared since March 6 when she disappeared from a five-star resort in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic. (Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook)
Three Dominican officials told ABC News that he was studying former MD Konanki walked along the beaches of the Caribbean island for the last time.
The media reported that there was a person who was allegedly with her until early morning. Authorities in the Dominican Republic said Kang Ki went swimming with the man and was trapped by the big waves.
Pete’s student disappeared while traveling to the Dominican Republic on spring break
Investigators later questioned a “young man” who entered the beach’s waters as Konanki disappeared. Dominican Republic The report said Diario reported.
Chapman said they wanted to “flip through every rock” before concluding what happened to Konanki, refusing to comment on whom the authorities questioned.
“It’s too early to comment on who they actually talk to and what kind of information they get at this point,” he said.
Sudiksha Konanki appears in an undated photo on her Tiktok profile. She last met on the beach in Punta Cana on March 6. (@sudikshakonanki/tiktok)
Authorities in the Dominican Republic were using drones, helicopters and dogs to search for Connaco on Monday, the Associated Press reported.
“The search was because she drowned,” Civil Defense spokesman Jensen Sánchez told the Associated Press.
According to WTOP, Konanki’s parents flew to Punta Cana after learning of their daughter’s disappearance. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki and a family friend reportedly filed a complaint Sunday asking local police to expand the investigation.
“It’s been four days since she’s in the water, she might be scattered on the shore,” Kang Ki’s father told WTOP. “She wasn’t found, so we asked them to investigate multiple options, such as kidnapping or kidnapping.”
“Her property, including personal belongings like cell phones and wallets, was left to her friends, which was unusual because she always carried her cell phone with her,” the socket quoted her father in the complaint. “In view of these circumstances, I respectfully ask the authorities to take immediate measures to investigate not only the possibility of accidental drowning, but also the possibility of kidnapping or foul.”
Visitors cover the coast of the beach on May 20, 2023 at the Sargassum on Bibijagua Beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. (Felix Leon/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. State Department – Travel Consulting
College students flock to popular spring break destinations outside the United States, including Cancun, Mexico and Punta Cana. These destinations, though offer holiday options for college students – under a travel consultation at the U.S. State Department.
The Dominican Republic has Level 2 travel consultation, which means travelers should be cautious during their visit and be aware of “increasing safety and safeguard risks”.
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“The wide availability of weapons, the use and trade of illegal drugs, and the weaker criminal justice system contribute to high levels of criminal conduct on a wider scale,” the travel consultant said.
Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.
