Indian Woman Found Dead in Maryland, Ex-Partner Charged
Ex-boyfriend fled to India after reporting her missing; murder warrant issued
- 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala found dead in Maryland apartment
- Ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma charged with murder
- Sharma fled to India after filing missing report
- Indian Embassy extends consular support to family
GG News Bureau
Washington, 5th Jan: A 27-year-old Indian woman who was reported missing since New Year’s Eve has been found dead inside her ex-boyfriend’s apartment in Maryland, with investigators charging the man with murder.
The victim has been identified as Nikitha Godishala, a data and strategy analyst from Ellicott City, according to Howard County Police. Her body was discovered inside an apartment owned by her former boyfriend Arjun Sharma (26).
Police said Sharma had filed a missing person report on January 2, claiming he last saw Godishala on December 31 at his apartment. On January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at the same apartment and found Godishala dead with multiple stab wounds.
Investigators said Sharma left the United States for India on the same day he filed the missing report. Based on preliminary findings, police believe Godishala was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31.
Authorities have now obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder. The investigation is ongoing, and police said they are working with federal law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the suspect.
The Indian Embassy confirmed that it is in touch with Godishala’s family and is providing all possible consular assistance. It added that it is also following up the case with local authorities.
The United States and India have an extradition treaty, which allows cooperation in serious criminal cases, though such proceedings typically involve court reviews and diplomatic coordination and may take several months.
