Who Was Nikitha Godishala? Indian Woman Found Dead in Maryland Apartment in US, Ex-Boyfriend Flees to India
A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikitha Godishala, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, following a missing person report filed by her former boyfriend. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Arjun Sharma, allegedly fled the US for India on the same day.
Mumbai, January 5: A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikitha Godishala, was found dead with multiple stab wounds in an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, following a missing person report filed by her former boyfriend. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Arjun Sharma, allegedly fled the US for India on the same day he reported her disappearance to the authorities. Howard County Police have since issued an arrest warrant for Sharma on charges of first- and second-degree murder.
The investigation began after Sharma contacted police on Friday, January 2, claiming he had not seen Nikitha Godishala since New Year’s Eve. However, detectives later discovered that Sharma boarded a flight to India shortly after making that report. On Saturday, police executed a search warrant at Sharma's residence in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road, where they discovered Godishala’s body. Preliminary forensic evidence suggests she was killed shortly after 7:00 pm on December 31. Indian Student Dies in US: Rajyalakshmi Yarlagadda From Andhra Pradesh Dies After Suffering From Severe Cough, Chest Pain.
Who Was Nikitha Godishala?
Nikitha Godishala was a highly qualified healthcare professional who had built a life in Ellicott City, Maryland. Originally from India, she earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University before moving to the US to further her education. She recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), and was working in the field of clinical research and data analytics.
Indian Embassy Takes Cognisance
According to local authorities, Godishala and Sharma had previously been in a relationship but remained in contact. Friends of the victim became concerned when she stopped responding to messages on New Year’s Eve and began circulating her photo on social media. Indian Student Dies in US: Praveen Kumar Gampa From Telangana Found Dead in Chicago, Indian Consulate in Touch With Family.
Police believe the timeline indicates a level of premeditation. "There was obviously some premeditation to be able to do this and then to flee the country," stated Howard County Police spokesperson Seth Hoffman. While the motive remains unclear, investigators confirmed there were no prior emergency calls or documented incidents involving the pair at that address.
The US government is currently working with federal agencies and international partners to track Sharma. Authorities are expected to involve Interpol to issue a "Red Notice," which serves as an international request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest the suspect pending extradition.
The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, has confirmed it is aware of the case and is in active communication with Godishala’s family. In a statement released on social media, the embassy noted it is "extending all possible consular assistance" and is following the matter closely with local US law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 05, 2026 10:08 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).