Search for Missing American College Student Complicated by Power Outage in Dominican Republic

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, disappeared from a Dominican Republic resort. A major power outage at RIU Republica Resort complicates the investigation but does not prevent access to surveillance and cellphone data. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is actively seeking information regarding her whereabouts.

The disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student, raises concerns due to a significant power outage impacting the Punta Cana resort where she was vacationing. She was last observed on March 6, outside the RIU Republica Resort, during the early hours, and her whereabouts remain unknown.

On March 4, the resort lost power at approximately 1:30 a.m., with 70% restored by 3 a.m. and full restoration by 2 a.m. on March 6. RIU Hotels & Resorts confirmed that power issues are unrelated to the case of Sudiksha Konanki and stated that operational security cameras captured her moving from a hotel bar to the beach around 4:17 a.m.

Details reveal that she was last seen on the beach at approximately 4:50 a.m. Her friends returned to their hotel around 6 a.m., without her. Loudoun County authorities have identified a fellow tourist as a person of interest; however, he has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Experts note that the power outage may complicate the investigation, although it would not hinder access to surveillance footage or cell phone data. Michael Verden, CEO of The Lake Forest Group, indicated that critical evidence might have been lost if certain security cameras failed during the outage.

Verden emphasized the importance of electronic data from hotel keycard systems, which could clarify guests’ movements before her disappearance. This data is essential for piecing together events leading up to her going missing.

Tom Slovenski, a digital forensic expert, maintained that despite the outage, investigators can access cell tower records to track Konanki’s last known location. He asserted that significant leads are available regarding her disappearance, especially pertaining to the last person she was seen with.

The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office released a statement cautioning against speculation regarding Konanki’s disappearance, asserting their commitment to a thorough investigation. They encourage anyone with information to contact the authorities directly or anonymously to aid the search for Sudiksha Konanki.

The investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance continues amidst challenges posed by a power outage at her vacation resort. While critical surveillance and electronic data might be affected, law enforcement remains committed to uncovering the truth. Experts highlight that cell phone data remains a valuable resource, and the situation is being monitored closely by authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. Public assistance is encouraged to facilitate the search efforts.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com