Prior to the loss of an American university student in the Dominican Republic, she and the last individuals she was seen with on March 6 had actually been consuming alcohol prior to choosing to swim in harsh browse, motivating inquiries regarding obligation that the hotel where they were remaining can possibly encounter.
In the morning hours of March 6, Sudiksha Konanki and her close friends strolled from a resort bar to the coastline outside the RIU Republica in Punta Cana, where she was sticking with 5 women close friends from the University of Pittsburgh.
The 20-year-old evidently swam with a 22-year-old male called Joshua Riibe, of Iowa, that has actually been determined as a witness in her loss. Riibe evidently informed Dominican Republic authorities that they went swimming and were struck by a huge wave, which is the last time he saw her.
“I was over at the Natalee Holloway investigation way back when. And although there are some similarities here, there are some differences,” Chris Swecker, previous FBI Criminal Investigative Division assistant supervisor, informedFox News Digital “But in this case, I think it’s plausible, based on everything that I’ve read, that it is a drowning.… I don’t think it’s an outlandish assumption here, based on the facts, that they were both pretty drunk.”
CRUCIAL WITNESS IN AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT’S LOSS INFORMS COPS HOW THEY MET, WHAT TOOK PLACE ON COASTLINE
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, has actually been missing out on from Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, because March 6. (Handout/ Santiago Baez for Fox News Digital)
Riibe informed cops he had actually been consuming alcohol vodka with 7Up and tequila shots, including that the team of females he had actually been with acquired “pink tequila shots” that they consumed en masse.
On the coastline, he and Konanki entered the water while 2 of her women close friends remained onto land. Riibe and Konanki were speaking when a “big wave” struck them, Riibe claimed. There was a red-flag advising on the coastline at the time, showing a caution for individuals not to go swimming in harsh browse.
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT VANISHES IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: TIMELINE
In January, 4 vacationers sank near Punta Cana, when a warning alerted of solid currents and harsh seas, according to The Associated Press.
Local authorities look for missing out on united state trainee Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Santiago Baez for Fox News Digital)
“When it comes to the ocean… if you don’t recover a body pretty quick, then the sea life is going to take care of it,” Swecker claimed. “And we haven’t seen a body wash up by now.”
Swecker, that is likewise an attorney, included that he can “definitely see a liability issue for the resort” about Konanki’s loss.
MISSING OUT ON AMERICAN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: NO SUSPECTS AS LOOK FOR SUDIKSHA KONANKI GETS TO ONE WEEK
“Depending on industry standards for a resort like that, where there are enough cameras, whether… people were outside the hotel because of a power outage. Should there have been security on the beach?” he asked.
Sudiksha Konanki in a Facebook selfie picture. The 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh junior has actually been missing out on because March 6. (Sudiksha Konanki/Facebook)
Just 2 hours before Konanki’s loss, RIU Republica had actually solved an almost 25-hour-long electrical power interruption that affected regarding 30% of the hotel, leaving some individuals without light, water, Wi-Fi, or electrical power in their spaces to bill phones or various other electronic devices.
“In response to publications linking the electrical failure experienced at the Riu Republica hotel with the tragic disappearance of guest Sudiksha Chowdary Konanki, RIU Hotels & Resorts wishes to firmly clarify that both events are completely unrelated,” RIU Resorts & & Hotels formerly informed Fox News Digital in a declaration.
The resort moms and dad firm included that the RIU Republica’s personnel’s initiatives “were exemplary in terms of dedication, commitment, and professionalism in resolving a severe technical failure within hours and mitigating the effects it had on services throughout that time.”
Investigators have actually broadened the search location as American university student Sudiksha Konanki stays absent. (Fox News Graphics )
Luis Vilchez, an attorney in the Dominican Republic, does not believe the hotel will certainly be held accountable unless the visitors verify that “the hotel or its employees acted recklessly.”
“If the guest acted recklessly, the hotel would, in principle, not be held liable.”
“Similarly, regarding beach swimming conditions, it would have to be demonstrated that the hotel failed to provide adequate signage to inform guests about the proper use of the beach,” Vilchez informed Fox News Digital.
“If the guest acted recklessly, the hotel would, in principle, not be held liable – for example, if the guest swam outside designated hours when no lifeguard was on duty and despite visible danger signs, such as red flags indicating bad weather.”
Military workers look for Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 10. ( AP/Francesco Spotorno)
He proceeded: “In this particular case, I do not see grounds for a claim against the resort when two adults failed to follow the safety measures established by the hotel to prevent accidents. That is, it would be necessary to prove that the hotel was negligent in indicating, communicating or enforcing the safety measures.”
Swecker claimed it would certainly be feasible for Konanki’s household to take legal action against the hotel for neglect if there was “insufficient security,” “insufficient lighting on the beach” or for stopping working to shut or protect the coastline throughout a red-flag caution.
Fox News Digital connected to RIU Republica for remark.
RESORT SCARY TALES ARISE AFTER AMERICAN UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOES MISSING OUT ON AS HOTEL FIRMLY INSISTS NO LINK
Konanki was last seen on monitoring video strolling from RIU Republica to the coastline with 7 other individuals, consisting of 5 women and 2 men, around 4:15 a.m. on March 6. She was last seen on the coastline around 4:50 a.m., according to the Dominican Republic district attorney’s workplace and the resort.
Local authorities take part in the look for missing out on trainee Sudiksha Konanki, March 11, 2025. (Santiago Baez for Fox News Digital)
Hotel monitoring video after that reveals a team of 6 individuals, consisting of 5 females and one male, going back to the resort from the coastline around 5:55 a.m.
GO HERE TO OBTAIN THE INFORMATION APPLICATION
The boy formerly seen with Konanki is seen on monitoring video going into the inside of the resort around 9 a.m. on March 6.
Authorities are asking any person with info to call the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office at 703-777-1021. To stay confidential, telephone call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919.
Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Ashley Papa added to this record.
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