Maryland, Jan 5: A 27-year-old Indian woman who went missing in Maryland has been found murdered, with US police accusing her former partner of killing her and leaving the country immediately after reporting her disappearance.
According to Howard County Police, Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City was found dead with stab wounds inside an apartment in Columbia rented by her ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma (26).
Authorities said Sharma is now wanted on charges of first- and second-degree murder, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“Detectives believe the victim was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31,” police said, adding that Sharma had told officers he last saw Godishala that same evening at his apartment.
Police said Sharma filed a missing person report on January 2, but investigators later found that he boarded a flight to India on the very same day.
The following day, officers searched his apartment and recovered Godishala’s body. “The victim was located deceased during the execution of a search warrant,” police said in their statement.
Officials said the investigation has not yet determined a motive behind the killing.
The Indian Embassy in Washington DC said it is providing assistance to Godishala’s family. “The Embassy is following up the matter with local authorities and extending all possible consular support,” it said.
Howard County Police said they are coordinating with federal law enforcement agencies in the United States to trace Sharma and carry out the arrest.
