Search For Missing VA College Student Includes Coral Reefs: Report

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The search for missing college student Sudiksha Konanki from Loudoun County in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is now including coral reefs. Surveillance footage indicate that other people were present on the beach around when the college student went missing, according to a new report.

In another new turn, two members of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office are in the Dominican Republic, assisting in the search for the Virginia college student, FOX DC reported. INTERPOL issued a worldwide missing person alert on Wednesday after a request from the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

In the week since Konanki was last seen, a widespread search involving authorities from the Dominican Republic, the U.S. and India has mobilized. Konanki, from Chantilly, is a citizen of India and a permanent U.S. resident studying pre-medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. She had been on a spring break trip with five friends since March 3, according to Dominican National Police.

The missing student was last seen a week ago on the beach. CNN reported that authorities found video footage showing additional people on the beach near the time the 20-year-old student was last seen. A person of interest who was also on the beach with Konanki has been identified in the case but is not a suspect.

Authorities have not identified the other people on the beach and asked them to report any information they know about the missing college student.

Authorities have been investigating drowning as a possible cause of the student's disappearance. Search and rescue teams are looking for the missing student around areas with coral reefs, the Dominican news outlet Noticias SIN reported. WTOP noted that four people drowned and two others were saved from the water earlier this year at the same resort Konanki was at.

Konanki's loved ones and the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office haven't ruled out other causes. Konanki's father, Subbarayudu Konanki, and a friend, Ramprakash Krishnamanaidu, sought a broadened investigation to look into causes like abduction or other foul play, WTOP reported. The record of complaint noted that she left behind personal items like her phone and wallet with friends.

Dominican Republic authorities said they are "conducting multiple investigative procedures" beyond an accidental incident. However, details are remaining confidential, per Dominican Republic regulations.

"We are using all our resources to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of Konanki Sudiskha Chowdary and understand the distress this case causes her family, Dominican citizens, and Americans," said Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso, translated from Spanish in a news release.

Dominican Republic police said Konanki was last spotted around 4:15 a.m. on March 6 with her friends on the beach in front of the Riu República Hotel in Punta Cana. In a statement sent to the Associated Press, the hotel said Konanki’s disappearance coincided with a power outage that prompted multiple guests to head to the beach.

As reported by People magazine, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office identified Joshua Riibe as a person of interest. A source close to the investigation told DailyMail.com that Riibe, a former high school wrestler from Iowa, was the last person to see Konanki on a beach in Punta Cana before she vanished on March 6.

CNN reported that the person of interest is cooperating with authorities. The person of interest's relative told WTOP the family is experiencing "a very difficult time right now" and requested privacy.

Surveillance cameras showed five women and one man leaving the Punta Cana beach around 4:55 a.m., which authorities believe left Konanki with the person of interest. The man reported feeling sick and getting out of the water but seeing Konanki in the water. He recalled passing out and awaking several hours later. Surveillance footage recorded him departing the beach before 9 a.m. on March 6, but Konanki was not seen.

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.

The INTERPOL alert describes Konanki as a 20-year-old Indian woman about 5 foot 2 and 138 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and three piercings on her right ear.

Anyone with information in the case may contact the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.

The Associated Press and Patch editor Eric Heyl contributed to this report.