As the search for missing spring break college student Sudiksha Konanki enters its eighth day,  said that with each day passing there is a loss of "forensic capabilities."

"There will be evidence on the body to be able to determine the cause of death," retired FBI agent Scott Duffey told Fox News Digital. "With every day passing, if she was not taken by kidnapping, and she is in fact out in the water, then with each day passing, there is a loss of some forensic capabilities."

Duffey said the international investigation with multiple governments involved – both America and India – was complicated by Dominican Republic authorities suggesting that Konanki drowned after going into the water after a night out with friends.

"You bring upon two major governments that are saying, 'Before we commit to the drowning theory, let's do a little bit more investigation,'" he said. "Now, without a body,  should never, ever make a comment like that. It does a disservice first and foremost to the family, but, of course, to the reputation of the police department."





On Thursday, Dominican Republic authorities changed their tune and  for the missing University of Pittsburgh student now extends "beyond an accidental event" and "examines all variables."

Duffey said that authorities in the Dominican Republic saying that it appeared that the 20-year-old drowned were "initial missteps."

"I do believe there are missteps when you call something so quickly before," he said. "Was the crime scene investigation done? Was  clothing found?"

**WATCH:**



Konanki was last seen on hotel surveillance video on March 6 after 4 a.m. She was last seen walking with a young man who had his arms wrapped around her shoulders.

The young man previously seen with Konanki is seen on surveillance footage entering the interior of the hotel around 9 a.m. on March 6.



La Policia Nacional, the country’s national police force, later said the young man is under investigation.

He reportedly said he was in the water at the same beach, and authorities were questioning him in an attempt to corroborate his version of events, according to a translation of a Spanish-language statement from police.

In another version of the story, he said he felt sick and left Konanki in knee-deep water before he passed out on the beach. The man additionally claimed he saw Konanki walking on the beach before he fell asleep on the beach, according to the local report.

Authorities said that they found her sandals and a sarong-style beach gown on a chair by the beach.



Local authorities search for missing U.S. college student Sudiksha Konanki in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 11, 2025.

(Diablo Baez for Fox News Digital)

Duffey said that the evidence and the witness testimony "tell us a story."

"The big question is what was the intoxication level, if any, for both of them?" he said. "I don't want to cast a shadow upon this individual simply  and thereby his memory is warped."

"He's remembering things differently, and then it's natural that the story is going to change," Duffey said. "And the evidence, whether that be vomit found on the beach, can help corroborate the individual's testimony."



U.S. college student Sudiksha Konanki went missing while on vacation with her friends in Punta Cana on March 6, 2025.

(Fox News Graphics)

 said authorities "can get a good sense" if their interview subject is being deceptive or just not recalling the details.



"And as long as he's continuing to be cooperative, because he has nothing to hide, then that will lend to additional information coming out," he said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI for comment.

_Fox News Digital's Audrey Conklin contributed to this report._
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