Private Investigator from Natalee Holloway's case doubts missing student Sudiksha Konanki drowned, offers assistance in search
Private investigator TJ Ward, who helped in Natalee Holloway's case, questions the drowning theory in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki in the Dominican Republic. He offers help in the search, suspecting possible foul play.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student from the University of Pittsburgh, has been missing since a Spring Break trip to the Dominican Republic. Authorities initially believed the young woman may have drowned after being swept away by waves on a Punta Cana beach. However, private investigator TJ Ward, who famously worked on the Natalee Holloway case, has raised doubts about the drowning theory and suspects foul play.
Private Investigator TJ Ward’s involvement
TJ Ward, known for assisting in the search for Natalee Holloway two decades ago, has contacted Konanki’s family to offer his help. Ward, who has extensive experience in missing person cases, is skeptical of the drowning theory presented by local authorities. "Drowning would be one of the last things I would think of right now," Ward said in an interview. He believes that the disappearance is more likely the result of abduction, rather than a tragic accident.
Konanki's disappearance bears similarities to Holloway's case, as both women went to a Caribbean beach resort with their classmates.
Dominican officials search the beach where Konanki disappeared last week. Photo: The Independent
Ward’s doubts about the drowning theory are rooted in the lack of physical evidence, such as Konanki’s body washing ashore. “If she had gone into the water [and drowned], she would’ve washed up somewhere with a tide the way that comes into the island.” Ward emphasized, echoing concerns raised by Konanki’s father. The family fears the worst, and Konanki’s father filed a complaint urging authorities to explore the possibility of kidnapping or abduction
What happened to Sudiksha Konanki?
Konanki was last seen around 4 a.m. on the beach after a night out with friends. Surveillance footage shows that the group of friends returned to their hotel room, but Konanki stayed behind with a man. The man, who was with Konanki on the beach, later claimed that she had been swept away by a wave while they were swimming. When he returned to the beach, he said Konanki was nowhere to be found. Despite his cooperation with the authorities, the details surrounding her disappearance remain unclear, leaving room for speculation.
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Konanki's ongoing search and investigation
The FBI, along with local authorities in the Dominican Republic, continues to investigate the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki. Despite the initial theory that she drowned, the investigation is still open, and other possibilities, including abduction, are being explored. Ward’s expertise is helping to guide the search, as his experience in similar high-profile cases could provide crucial insights into the ongoing investigation.