Columbia, Maryland / New Delhi, January 5, 2026 — A 27-year-old Indian woman, Nikitha Rao Godishala, was found dead with multiple stab wounds inside the apartment of her former boyfriend in Howard County, Maryland, U.S., sparking an international manhunt after the main suspect fled the country, police confirmed.
The case has drawn intense media and community attention in both the United States and India, as law enforcement agencies coordinate across borders to locate and arrest the suspect, who is wanted on first- and second-degree murder charges.
Discovery and Police Response
Howard County Police were first alerted when Arjun Sharma, a 26-year-old resident of Columbia, Maryland, reported Nikitha missing on January 2, 2026. Sharma told police he had **last seen Godishala on December 31, 2025 at his apartment on Twin Rivers Road in Columbia.
However, investigators later discovered that Sharma had left the United States on a flight to India on the same day he filed the missing-persons report, raising immediate red flags in the probe.
On January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at the apartment linked to Sharma and found Godishala’s body inside, suffering multiple stab wounds. Police believe she was killed shortly after 7 p.m. on December 31, 2025, based on preliminary findings.
Howard County authorities obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder and are working with federal law enforcement agencies and international partners to locate him.
Who Was Nikitha Godishala?
Nikitha Rao Godishala was a 27-year-old Indian national residing in Ellicott City, Maryland at the time of her death.
Professionally, she was a Data and Strategy Analyst at Vheda Health, a position she joined in February 2025. In her short tenure, she had earned recognition within the company, receiving the “All-In Award” for her contributions to data and strategy work.
Before moving to the United States, Godishala amassed experience in India as well. She worked as a Clinical Pharmacist intern at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Hospitals and later served as a Clinical Data Specialist.
Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and a Master’s in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she also spent a year before entering the professional world.
Godishala was described in her LinkedIn profile as fluent in English, Hindi and Telugu, and dedicated to using data-driven insights to improve healthcare systems and patient outcomes — a career path her peers admired.
Suspect and International Hunt
Police suspect that Sharma killed Godishala at his apartment and then fled the U.S. shortly after reporting her missing — a sequence that has fueled suspicion and urgency in the investigation.
U.S. law enforcement is working to issue a “Red Notice” through Interpol, facilitating global tracking and potential extradition of Sharma back to the United States for prosecution.
Indian authorities are also involved, with the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. confirming that it is in contact with Nikitha’s family and providing consular assistance as the case unfolds.
Investigation Status and Motive
At this stage, authorities have not publicly identified a clear motive for the attack. Howard County police spokesman Seth Hoffman noted that while friends and relatives reported continued contact between Godishala and Sharma after their breakup, there is no definitive explanation yet for why she was killed.
Experts caution that motive often becomes clearer once forensic evidence, communications and witness interviews are analysed more fully — and investigators are expected to pursue these avenues as the probe continues.
Community and Family Reaction
News of Godishala’s death and the circumstances surrounding the investigation has shaken Indian communities in both the U.S. and India, especially given the international nature of the case and the fact that Sharma fled the country.
Friends and associates had launched social media campaigns to raise awareness when she was first reported missing, showing how deeply her disappearance affected her local community in Columbia, Maryland.
The Indian Embassy has reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Nikitha’s family in Maryland and in India, offering support and coordinating with local law enforcement on investigative and consular fronts.
Legal Implications and Charges
Sharma has been named as the primary suspect, and law enforcement officials obtained an arrest warrant charging him with at least first- and second-degree murder — crimes that carry severe penalties under U.S. law.
These charges reflect the gravity of the case. First-degree murder typically involves deliberate intent, while second-degree murder covers actions that show a blatant disregard for human life. Authorities will need to establish evidence that proves the suspect’s direct role once he is apprehended.
The fact that Sharma reportedly filed a missing-person report before fleeing the country is expected to be a significant piece of evidence and may factor into the prosecution’s narrative if he is arrested and extradited.
Broader Context: Violence Against Women and Safety Abroad
The tragic death of Godishala highlights ongoing concerns about violence against women, including intimate partner violence and the risks faced by individuals living far from home. According to U.S. and international crime statistics, intimate partner homicides often involve complex emotional and relational dynamics, making prevention and prosecution both challenging and crucial.
The cross-border element in this case underscores the importance of international cooperation in criminal justice, particularly when suspects flee national jurisdictions. Agencies like Interpol and bilateral extradition treaties are vital tools in ensuring suspects are brought to justice.
What Happens Next
With Sharma believed to be in India, authorities from multiple jurisdictions are expected to pursue his arrest through:
- Interpol Red Notice
- Extradition requests
- Coordination between U.S. federal and Indian law enforcement
International legal experts note that extradition processes can take time, particularly when due process and consular rights are involved. However, the cooperation between agencies suggests both countries are prioritising a swift resolution.
Summary
- Nikitha Rao Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian professional based in Maryland, was found dead with stab wounds in her former boyfriend’s apartment in Maryland, U.S. — the body was discovered after a search warrant was executed on January 3.
- Her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, 26, filed a missing persons report on January 2 and fled the United States for India the same day, prompting suspicion by investigators.
- Authorities believe she was killed on December 31, 2025, and have charged Sharma with first- and second-degree murder, issuing a warrant for his arrest.
- International law enforcement cooperation is underway, including potential Interpol action, while the Indian Embassy is providing consular support to the family and liaising with U.S. officials.
- Godishala was a respected data professional with a strong career trajectory in health data analytics and had worked in both the U.S. and India prior to her death.
