Daijiworld Media Network - Maryland

Maryland, Jan 5: A 27-year-old Indian woman, who had been reported missing since New Year’s Eve, was found dead with stab wounds inside her ex-boyfriend’s apartment in the US state of Maryland, police officials said.

The victim was identified as Nikitha Godishala, a data and strategy analyst from Ellicott City, according to Howard County police. Her body was discovered inside an apartment owned by her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma (26).

Investigators said they have obtained an arrest warrant against Sharma, charging him with first- and second-degree murder. Police revealed that Sharma himself had filed a missing person complaint on January 2, claiming that he last saw Godishala on December 31 at his apartment.

On January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at the same apartment and found Godishala dead with multiple stab wounds. Police said Sharma left the United States for India on the same day he reported her missing.

Based on their investigation, detectives believe that Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7 pm on December 31. The probe is ongoing and the motive behind the killing is yet to be established.

Howard County police said they are working closely with federal law enforcement agencies to trace and arrest the accused.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy said it is in touch with Godishala’s family and is extending all possible consular assistance. “The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities,” it said in a statement.

Notably, India and the United States have an extradition treaty that enables cooperation in serious criminal cases, though such proceedings typically involve legal scrutiny and diplomatic coordination and may take several months.