Natalee Holloway’s mother is sharing her thoughts following the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki.
Following the disappearance of the University of Pittsburgh student during a spring break trip to the Dominican Republic, Beth Holloway, detailed the similarities between the current case and what her family went through after Natalee went missing in 2005 amid a graduation trip to Aruba.
"The family is so fortunate to have an American embassy there to work with," Beth told Fox News in a statement March 11. "I did not have that in Aruba."
In the days since Sudiksha, 20, was reported missing from Punta Cana, where she was staying with friends, on March 6—after traveling to the Dominican Republic with a group of friends for spring break—an investigation in the Dominican Republic has been underway, prompting a search of air, land, and sea from officials on the island with the FBI and the liaison of the U.S. Embassy assisting officials on the island.
Surveillance footage, shared by Dominican authorities, showed Sudiksha and the five friends who traveled with her to the RIU hotel in Punta Cana—as well as two unidentified men—going the beach area of the resort around 4:15 a.m. However, Sudiksha’s friends later returned to the resort without her 40 minutes later. The surveillance also showed a man who was walking with Sudiksha returning to the resort the same day without her.
Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader said in a March 10 press conference that one of the last people to have contact with the biology student told authorities, “That a wave hit them while they were on the beach and caused some kind of situation," according to NBC News.
Two days later, a spokesperson for the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in Virginia—where Sudiksha and her family live—told NBC News that a person on interest has been named in the U.S. investigation.
But as Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Thomas Julia emphasized, “This is not the same thing as a suspect as this is not a criminal matter. It is still a missing person case.”
Amid the investigation into Sudiksha’a disappearance, the situation has drawn many similarities to Natalee’s case—nearly two decades later.
Natalee was 18 years old when she went missing May 30, 2005—sparking nationwide attention. Natalee was last seen with a group of men, including Joran van der Sloot leaving a club in Aruba..
In 2023, 18 years after he was initially named a person of interest in her disappearance, Joran confessed to killing the Alabama native after she refused his sexual advances. He is currently serving a 20 year prison sentence for a fraud case involving Natalee’s parents, which is running concurrently with the 28-year prison sentence he is serving in Peru for the 2010 murder of college student Stephany Flores. Natalee, whose remains have never been found, was declared legally dead in 2012.
For everything to know about Konanki’s disappearance, keep reading…
Where Did Sudiksha Konanki Travel to for Spring Break?
Sudiksha Konanki, a junior in biology at the University of Pittsburgh, traveled to the Dominican Republic on March 3 during spring break.
Who Did Sudiksha Konanki Travel With?
The 20-year-old headed to the Dominican Republic with five friends to celebrate the University of Pittsburgh's spring break.
Where Was Sudiksha Konanki Staying?
Konanki had been staying at the Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana, an all-inclusive resort.
Following her disappearance, the hotel told NBC News, "We have been working closely with the local authorities, including the police and the navy, to conduct a thorough search. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends during this incredibly difficult time … we are fully committed to doing everything in our power to assist in this situation."
A hotel spokesperson shared with the outlet that prior to the incident, red flags, which indicated that "the sea had a strong current and very high waves," were flying on the beach to warn guests.
When Was Sudiksha Konanki Reported Missing?
Konanki was reported missing on March 6 after her friends returned from a beach walk without her. She is believed to have disappeared between the hours of 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. that morning.
When Did Search and Rescue Efforts Begin for Sudiksha Konanki?
Following her disappearance, local officials began an investigation. Local civil defense confirmed it had begun searches on land and by sea, while a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office in Loudoun County in Virginia—where Konanki was from—told NBC News their investigations included obtaining video, going through cellphone evidence and talking to people who were with Konanki.
What Do Officials Believe May Have Happened to Sudiksha Konanki?
Although a body has not been recovered, three Dominican Republic officials—who are leading the investigation—told ABC News on March 9 that they believe Konanki died by drowning.
However, Loudoun County Public Information Officer Thomas Julia told NBC News that they have "an obligation to look at all possibilities, interview all parties and look at all phones that may provide info of value and are doing so."
What Have Key Figures Told Police About Sudiksha Konanki’s Night on the Beach?
Joshua Riibe, a key witness in the search for Konanki, shared their encounter on the beach with Dominican authorities, alleging that while at the beach with a friend and Konanki's party of six, he and Konanki were swept into a current while kissing and talking in "waist-deep water."
"When I finally reached the ground on the beach, I pulled her in front of me," Riibe told authorities, according to a transcript viewed by E! News. "She went to gather her belongings since the sea had moved us. She wasn't out of the water, as it was up to our knees."
"She was walking at an angle in the water," he continued. "The last time I saw her, I asked if she was OK. I didn't hear her answer because I started vomiting all the seawater I'd swallowed."
The St. Cloud State University student said he fell asleep on a nearby beach chair and believed she returned to her room. "My friend asked me if I knew where the girl was," he said. "I told him I thought she had gone to her room, and he told me she never returned."
What Has Sudiksha Konanki’s Family Said About the Case?
Following Konanki's disappearance, her father Subbarayudu Konanki told CNN his daughter had been traveling before beginning pre-med studies.
"My daughter is a very nice girl," he said. "She's ambitious. She wanted to pursue a career in medicine."
However, more than 10 days after her disappearance, her loved ones asked Dominican Republic authorities to declare her dead, a police spokesperson Diego Pesqueira told NBC News March 17, sending a letter requesting the declaration of death.