Missing Indian woman found dead in US: Ex-boyfriend under scanner, cops say he fled to India — key details

NEW DELHI: An Indian women, who was missing since New Year's Eve, was found dead with stab wounds inside her boyfriend's apartment in United States' Maryland.

"Howard County Police 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," Police wrote in a social media post on X.

According to Howard Police, the victim was identified as Nikita Godishala -- a 27-year-old data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health in Columbia.


The police said that a search was launched that after a missing report was filed by her ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma on January 2.

What we know so far

• According to a press release, Howard Police located the body in Columbia apartment of Arjun Sharma and obtained a warrant for his arrest on first and second degree murder charges.
• Police said Arjun Sharma fled to India on the same day he filed the missing-person report.
• Detectives believe that Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7pm on December 31.
• The investigation is ongoing and no motive is known at this time.
• The police said that it is working with the United Stets federal law enforcement to locate and arrest Sharma.
• Indian embassy said that it is in contact with Godishala's family and extending all possible consular assistance.
• The embassy said that it is also following up the matter with the local authorities.
• India and United States have an extradition treaty that allows cooperation in serious criminal charges. However, the process usually takes court reviews and diplomatic coordination, extending over months.