Indian Woman Found Dead In US, Ex-Boyfriend Likely Killed Her, Fled To India

A 27-year-old Indian woman reported missing since New Year's Eve was found dead with stab wounds inside her ex-boyfriend's apartment in Maryland, the police said.

The victim has been identified as Nikitha Godishala, a data and strategy analyst, from Ellicott City, Howard County police said. Her body was found at an apartment owned by Arjun Sharma, 26, her ex-boyfriend.

The investigators have obtained an arrest warrant charging the ex-boyfriend with both first- and second-degree murder.

According to investigators, Sharma made the missing person report to police on January 2 and told officers he last saw Godishala on December 31 at his apartment in the Maryland city.

On January 3, detectives executed a search warrant at the same apartment and found Godishala dead with stab wounds.

Sharma left the country on a flight to India on the same day he reported Godishala missing, the police said.

Through investigation, detectives believe Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7 pm on December 31.

The investigation is ongoing, and no motive is known at this time. Howard County police said they are now working with federal law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest the ex-boyfriend.

The Indian Embassy said it is in contact with the family of Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance.

"The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities," it said.

Notably, the United States and India have an extradition treaty that allows cooperation in serious criminal cases, though such proceedings usually involve court reviews and diplomatic coordination, often extending over months.