A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikitha Godishala, who had been reported missing earlier in the week, was found dead inside the apartment of her former boyfriend in Columbia, Maryland. Police believe her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, 26, killed her and then fled the United States for India, according to reports by PTI.
Sharma, also of Indian origin, is now wanted on first- and second-degree murder charges. US authorities are working with federal agencies to locate him after confirming that he left the country for India the same day he reported her missing.
Who Was Nikitha Godishala?
Nikitha lived in Ellicott City, Howard County. She had previously been in a relationship with Arjun Sharma and was last seen at his apartment on December 31, 2025. Concerned friends reported her missing on January 2, after there was no word from her. During the missing-person period, her friends shared messages on social media seeking help to locate her.
#HoCoPolice located a woman reported missing on Jan. 2 deceased with stab wounds in the Columbia apartment of her ex-boyfriend and obtained a warrant for his arrest on first- and second-degree murder charges.https://t.co/RzEIWTUA8k
— Howard County Police Department (@HCPDNews) January 4, 2026
Godishala was a healthcare professional with a strong background in data analytics. According to her LinkedIn profile, she had worked across pharmacy, clinical research, health information technology, and data management. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India and went on to complete a master’s in Health Information Technology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
According to a CBS report, citing local authorities, Sharma himself reported Godishala missing on January 2, claiming he last saw her at his apartment on December 31, New Year’s Eve. Investigators later discovered that Sharma had left the United States and flown to India the same day he filed the missing-person report. On January 3, Howard County detectives executed a search warrant at Sharma’s apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road. Inside, they found Godishala’s body with stab wounds.
Authorities believe she was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31. Police emphasised that the investigation is ongoing and no motive has yet been determined.
Arrest warrant issued, Indian embassy assists family
Howard County police have obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder. Federal law enforcement is assisting in efforts to locate and bring him into custody, Fox 5 confirmed. (First-degree murder in the US involves premeditation, while second-degree applies to intentional killings without prior planning.)
The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, confirmed it is in contact with Nikitha’s family and is providing consular assistance. In a statement on X, the embassy said it is following up with local authorities and supporting the family during this difficult time. “The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up on the matter with the local authorities.”
The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities. @MEAIndia
— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) January 4, 2026
The US and India have an extradition treaty that allows cooperation in serious criminal cases. However, extradition proceedings often require court hearings and diplomatic coordination, which can take months. Police continue to appeal for information from anyone who might know Sharma’s whereabouts or have details related to the case.
