(NewsNation) — The search continues for missing University of Pittsburgh student Sudiksha Konanki, 20, who was last seen early Thursday morning in the Dominican Republic.
Despite the search expanding, local officials believe she drowned after being overtaken by a large wave. Her family believes something more sinister has happened.
Sudiksha Konanki disappears in Dominican Republic
Konanki, a resident of Ashburn, Virginia, was last seen March 6 at 4:50 a.m. while walking on the beach at the Riu Republica Hotel, just north of Punta Cana in the La Altagracia district of the Dominican Republic.
Konanki was last seen with a man heading toward the beach; he has since been interviewed by authorities. The man said they were both hit by a large wave, local officials reported, and he returned to shore after being unable to find her in the water.
Dominican police are questioning the man and other members of Konanki’s group, as well as hotel employees, in an effort to corroborate the timeline and narrow the search area. Konanki was part of a group of six female University of Pittsburgh students traveling together for spring break.
On Monday, police deployed canine units in the search, adding to drones, boats and land crews.
Konanki’s father has filed a record of complaint, urging authorities to widen the investigation. He is reportedly concerned his daughter may be the victim of kidnapping or foul play.
Search for Sudiksha Konanki
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia is pushing Interpol to issue a global missing persons alert. Interpol says the alert, known as a “yellow notice,” can boost the chances of finding a missing person, especially if they were taken abroad.
The sheriff’s office said it is hopeful for Konanki’s safe return and has asked the public to let investigators do their jobs before drawing any conclusions. The FBI and U.S. Embassy are working with Dominican authorities in this investigation.
In an update late Monday, Dominican police said they were working on an analysis of surveillance cameras to track down and connect Konanki’s moves since arriving in the country more than a week ago.