Indian woman’s US death sparks grief, ex-boyfriend fled
Investigators have secured a murder arrest warrant for the ex-boyfriend, deepening grief and urgency as authorities intensify efforts to track him down and deliver justice.
The death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala has cast a heavy shadow over both her community in the United States and her family in India, turning what began as a missing person case into a deeply distressing homicide investigation spanning two countries.
Nikitha, a data and strategy analyst based in Ellicott City, Maryland, was reported missing after she failed to return home on New Year’s Eve. Days later, her life was tragically cut short in circumstances that investigators have described as both violent and heartbreaking. Howard County police confirmed that her body was discovered inside an apartment belonging to her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, with multiple stab wounds.
According to police, Sharma, 26, had initially approached authorities on January 2 to report Nikitha missing. He told officers that he had last seen her on December 31 at his apartment in Ellicott City. At the time, the report raised concern but did not immediately signal the horror that would soon emerge.
The following day, January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at the same apartment Sharma had mentioned. Inside, they found Nikitha’s body. Investigators believe she was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31, just hours before the world welcomed the New Year. The discovery transformed the investigation instantly, shifting it from a search for a missing woman to a full-scale murder probe.
Authorities have since obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with both first- and second-degree murder. Police say evidence gathered during the investigation strongly suggests that he is responsible for Nikitha’s death. Compounding the shock, investigators revealed that Sharma left the United States on a flight to India on January 2—the same day he filed the missing person report.
The timing of his departure has raised troubling questions and intensified the urgency of the manhunt. Law enforcement officials say they are now working closely with federal agencies to locate Sharma and bring him back to face charges. While no motive has yet been established, detectives say the investigation remains active and complex, with forensic analysis and digital evidence still being reviewed.
For Nikitha’s family, the news has been devastating. Friends describe her as intelligent, driven and kind-hearted, someone who had worked hard to build a life and career abroad. “She had dreams, plans, and so much ahead of her,” said one acquaintance, who asked not to be named.
The Indian Embassy in the United States confirmed that it is in contact with Nikitha’s family and is providing all possible consular assistance. In a statement, the embassy said it is also following up with local authorities to ensure that the investigation proceeds swiftly and transparently. For the family, consular support has become a crucial lifeline as they navigate grief far from home.
Attention has now turned to the legal and diplomatic path ahead. The United States and India share an extradition treaty that allows cooperation in serious criminal cases, including murder. However, such proceedings are rarely quick. Legal experts note that extradition typically involves court hearings in the country where the suspect is located, as well as diplomatic coordination between governments. These processes can take months, sometimes longer, depending on legal challenges and documentation requirements.
Despite these hurdles, officials remain confident that international cooperation will play a key role in the case. “This is exactly the kind of situation where treaties and law enforcement partnerships matter,” said a former federal prosecutor.
In Maryland, the case has sparked renewed conversations about domestic violence, relationship-related crimes and the warning signs that often go unnoticed. Advocates stress that breakups can be particularly dangerous periods, especially when emotions run high and control issues surface. While investigators have not disclosed details about the nature of Nikitha and Sharma’s relationship, many are urging greater awareness and support systems for those who may be at risk.
As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information related to Sharma’s whereabouts or the events leading up to December 31 to come forward. Each detail, they say, could prove critical in building a complete picture of what happened and ensuring accountability.
For now, Nikitha Godishala’s story stands as a painful reminder of a life lost too soon. As her loved ones mourn across continents, their hope—and that of many watching this case closely—is that justice will ultimately cross borders, bringing some measure of closure to a tragedy that has left so many asking why.