Hyderabad woman Nikitha Godishala's body found in Maryland; warrant issued against ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma
Sharma has been charged with first- and second-degree murder
By - Sri Lakshmi Muttevi
US: Telugu woman Nikitha Godishala's body found in Maryland apartment; murder suspect boyfriend Arjun Sharma `flees' to India
US: A 27-year-old Indian Telugu woman from Hyderabad was found dead with stab wounds inside her former boyfriend’s apartment in Columbia, Maryland.
She has been identified as Nikitha Godishala, a native of Hyderabad. Authorities have issued an arrest warrant against her ex-boyfriend, 26-year-old Arjun Sharma, who is believed to have fled to India.
Howard County Police on Sunday confirmed that Sharma has been charged with first- and second-degree murder in connection with Godishala’s death.
According to investigators, Sharma filed a missing-person report on January 2, claiming he had last seen Nikitha on New Year’s Eve at his apartment. However, police said he left the United States for India later the same day. On January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at his apartment, where they found Godishala’s body bearing visible stab wounds.
Concerned friends had earlier posted missing posts on social media after Nikitha stopped responding to calls and messages on New Year’s Eve. Investigators believe the killing occurred after 7 pm on December 31.
“There was obviously some premeditation to be able to do this and then to flee the country, so that’s what we have right now as far as charges,” Howard County Police spokesperson Seth Hoffman said.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, said it is in touch with the victim’s family and is providing consular assistance. “The Embassy is in contact with the family of Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up on the matter with the local authorities,” the embassy said in a statement.
About the victim :
Nikitha Godishala was a resident of Ellicott City, Howard County, and worked as a healthcare professional with expertise in data analytics.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she has experience in pharmacy clinical research, health information technology, and data management.
She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India and later completed a master’s degree in Health Information Technology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
