US Student Sudiksha Konanki Vanishes from Dominican Beach

A 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki, has been missing since March 6, 2025, during a spring break trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

She was last seen around 4:15 a.m. entering the beach area of the Riu República Hotel with five women and two men, as captured by surveillance footage. Later, around 4:55 a.m., the footage shows five women and one man leaving the beach, but Sudiksha remained behind with a man in his 20s

The man, identified as 22-year-old Joshua Riibe, a senior at Minnesota’s St. Cloud State University, told investigators that he and Sudiksha went for a swim, encountered strong waves, and were pulled into the ocean. He claimed they both resurfaced and called for help, but no one was around. Riibe stated he tried to ensure Sudiksha could breathe, which hindered his own breathing, causing him to ingest a lot of water.

Authorities discovered clothing believed to belong to Sudiksha on a lounge chair at the beach, including a white netted sarong and beige flip-flops, resembling the outfit she was last seen wearing. The items appeared undisturbed.

The search for Sudiksha involves authorities from the Dominican Republic, the United States, and India, utilizing search dogs, drones, and helicopters. Dominican officials are investigating the disappearance as a potential drowning but are also considering other possibilities.

Sudiksha’s family, originally from India, has been in the U.S. since 2006 and resides in Loudoun County, Virginia. Her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, described her as a bright and ambitious student aiming to pursue a career in medicine.

As of now, Sudiksha has not been found, and the investigation is ongoing.