Worldwide Missing Person Alert Sought For VA Student Missing In Dominican Republic

Updated at 4:10 p.m.

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — As family members of a college student from Loudoun County missing in the Dominican Republic pressed investigators to look into whether she may have been kidnapped or abducted, authorities in Virginia are seeking a worldwide police alert in her case.

Sudiksha Konanki, 20, a University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly, was reported missing last Thursday. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Konanki was vacationing in Punta Cana with five female friends from college.

She is a citizen of India and U.S. permanent resident in pre-med studies and a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said Monday afternoon it is seeking an international police alert for a missing person to be issued by INTERPOL, the international police organization.

"The LCSO is hopeful for the safe return of Sudiksha Konanki, and we are committed to supporting this investigation and her family in every way possible," the agency said.

Authorities searched by land, sea and air Monday for Sudiksha. Along with a wide-ranging search, the investigation has included a review of surveillance video and telephone records, plus interviews with witnesses.

“So far, the authorities, multiple authorities here in the Dominican Republic have searched in the waters. They searched using helicopters and other tools. They also searched in the near bay, bushes, trees. They went multiple times around the same areas,” her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, told CNN.

WTOP reported the Indian Embassy is collaborating with the State Department and Dominican National Police on the missing student investigation, according to WTOP. The FBI, DEA, Homeland Security Investigations, University of Pittsburgh police and Loudoun County Sheriff's Office are also assisting.

In the investigation so far, authorities have identified drowning as a possible cause of Konanki's disappearance. But, her father and a friend, Ramprakash Krishnamanaidu, want authorities to broaden the investigation to look into causes like abduction or other foul play, WTOP reported.

Subbarayudu Konank, indicated his daughter was last seen before 5 a.m. Thursday on the beach at the Riu Republica Resort in Punta Cana. The record of complaint sought by the missing student's loved ones mentions a "stranger" with Konanki on the beach along with her friends. The report said she left behind personal items like her phone and wallet with friends.

Local police source told CNN later surveillance video shows a man leaving the beach area at 9:55 a.m., with no sign of Sudiksha Konanki.

Authorities have interviewed that young man to determine what happened when the two were alone, the source said, and Dominican Police are broadening their investigation to corroborate his preliminary version, the agency told CNN.

“I hope our government will help (pressure) the Dominican Republic to investigate (the kidnapping) angle,” said Krishnamanaidu in the report.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office urged the public to be cautious about sharing rumors.

"There has been considerable public speculation about what may have happened to Konanki and who may be involved," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "We caution anyone from drawing any unsubstantiated conclusions and are committed to ensuring that a thorough investigation is conducted before any conclusions are reached."

Anyone with information in the case may contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021 or anonymously to Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.