Washington: A 27 year old Indian woman, Nikitha Godishala, was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside her former boyfriend’s apartment in Columbia, days after he reported her missing, US authorities have confirmed.
The Howard County Police said on Sunday that an arrest warrant has been issued for Arjun Sharma, 26, charging him with first and second degree murder in connection with Godishala’s death.
According to investigators, Sharma who was in a past relationship with Godishala filed a missing person complaint on January 2, claiming he last saw her on New Year’s Eve at his apartment on Twin Rivers Road. Police later discovered that Sharma had left the United States for India on the very same day the report was filed.
As per the reports, Detectives believe the killing took place shortly after 7 pm on December 31. Godishala’s body was recovered on January 3 after police executed a search warrant at the apartment, where officers found visible stab injuries.
Authorities said the motive behind the killing is yet to be established, and the probe remains active. Federal agencies are assisting local police in tracking Sharma, who is currently believed to be outside the US.
The Indian Embassy said it is in touch with Godishala’s family and is extending consular assistance, adding that it is closely coordinating with local authorities on the case, reportedly.
Ex-Boyfriend Arrested
The international manhunt by Interpol for a Telugu woman’s killer ended in Tamil Nadu after police arrested Arjun Sharma, the accused of murdering Nikita Godishala in the United States and fleeing to India soon after the crime, sources said.
About Nikita Godishala
Godishala lived in Ellicott City and worked as a healthcare professional with expertise in data analytics. Her academic background included a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and a master’s degree in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
Friends alerted authorities after she went missing on January 2. The discovery of her body, coupled with Sharma’s sudden departure from the US, intensified the investigation.
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