Summary (tl;dr)

Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian healthcare professional, was found fatally stabbed in her ex-boyfriend's apartment in Columbia, Maryland, prompting an international manhunt and the subsequent arrest of her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, in India.

Essential Background

Nikitha Godishala was reported missing on January 2, 2026, after last being seen on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2025, at the Columbia, Maryland apartment of her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma. Her friends had circulated social media posts appealing for help in locating her after she disappeared.

The Full Story

On January 3, 2026, Howard County police conducted a search of Arjun Sharma's apartment on the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia, Maryland, where they discovered Nikitha Godishala deceased with multiple stab wounds. Investigators believe Godishala was killed shortly after 7 PM on December 31, 2025. Authorities revealed that Sharma himself reported Godishala missing on January 2, but then boarded a flight to India later the same day. An arrest warrant for first- and second-degree murder has been issued for Sharma, who has since been reportedly arrested in Tamil Nadu, India. US authorities are collaborating with federal agencies and the Indian Embassy in Washington D.C. to facilitate his extradition. The investigation into the motive behind the killing is ongoing.

Why It Matters

This case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic circumstances of Godishala's death, the international scope of the investigation, and the involvement of an extradition treaty between the United States and India. The incident highlights concerns regarding domestic violence and the complexities involved in international law enforcement efforts to apprehend suspects who flee across national borders. The Indian Embassy is actively providing consular assistance to Godishala's family, underscoring the diplomatic engagement in this case.

Geographic Location

• Apartment on the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road, Columbia, Howard County, Maryland, United States (location where Nikitha Godishala's body was discovered)
• Columbia, Howard County, Maryland, United States (location where Arjun Sharma reported Nikitha Godishala missing)
• Dulles International Airport, Loudoun County, Virginia, United States (airport from which Arjun Sharma departed for India)
• Tamil Nadu, India (location where Arjun Sharma was reportedly arrested)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (location of the Indian Embassy, involved in providing consular assistance and liaising with authorities)