Hyderabad: A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikita Godishala, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Columbia, Maryland, with US authorities treating the case as a homicide. Police have identified her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, as the prime suspect after her body was discovered with multiple stab wounds inside his apartment.
Investigators believe Nikita was killed around 7 pm on New Year’s Eve, December 31, at Sharma’s residence on Twin Rivers Road. In an alleged attempt to mislead authorities, Sharma reportedly filed a missing-person complaint on January 2, claiming Nikita had been untraceable since December 31. He also circulated her photographs on social media, seeking public help to locate her.
During a search of Sharma’s apartment on January 3, police recovered Nikita’s body, prompting the launch of a murder investigation. An arrest warrant has been issued against Sharma, who is suspected to have flown to India on the same day he lodged the missing complaint.
The Indian Embassy in the United States said it is in contact with Nikita’s family and is extending all possible consular assistance. Embassy officials are also coordinating with agencies in India regarding the suspect’s travel as efforts continue to trace Sharma and bring him to justice.