Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

FBI Joins Search for Missing University Student in Punta Cana

3/13/2025

29 2

Summary

Story summary

The FBI is joining forces with Dominican authorities to locate Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished on March 6 in Punta Cana. Last seen during a hotel power outage, her family is calling for a deeper investigation into the possibility of foul play. Konanki, originally from India, is a U.S. permanent resident.

History

Historical Context

The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana echoes concerns from 2019, when several American tourist deaths raised alarms about safety in the region. While those incidents were later attributed to natural causes, they highlighted vulnerabilities in tourist safety. The Dominican Republic, a leading Caribbean destination, must now address ongoing safety issues to maintain its reputation and protect visitors.

1 of 2

Story summary

The FBI is joining forces with Dominican authorities to locate Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student who vanished on March 6 in Punta Cana. Last seen during a hotel power outage, her family is calling for a deeper investigation into the possibility of foul play. Konanki, originally from India, is a U.S. permanent resident.

1 / 2