The Indian community in the United States and her hometown of Hyderabad are in shock following the brutal murder of a 27-year-old woman from Telangana. Nikitha Godishala, a data analyst working in Columbia, Maryland, was found dead in the apartment of an Indian man who is now a fugitive, suspected to have fled to India.
Chilling Details of the Crime
Howard County police discovered Nikitha's body on January 3, 2026, at an apartment on the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. The grim discovery came a day after the prime suspect, 26-year-old Arjun Sharma, had himself reported her missing on January 2. Authorities confirmed that Nikitha's body bore stab wounds.
The tragedy unfolded after Nikitha, who lived in nearby Ellicott City, visited Sharma's residence on December 31, 2025. According to her cousin, Saraswati, the visit was to collect money Sharma had borrowed. Nikitha had initially sent him $4,500, of which he repaid $3,500. When he asked for an additional $1,000 loan, she refused and instead demanded the remaining $1,000 from the first loan. Sharma assured repayment, luring her to his apartment where she was allegedly murdered.
Family Clarifies Relationship, Mourns a Bright Future
In Secunderabad, Nikitha's father, Anand Godishala, vehemently clarified media reports incorrectly labeling Sharma as her ex-boyfriend. "The alleged culprit is not her ex-boyfriend. Please do not report it like that," he stated. "He was one of the four housemates in the flat where she stayed and moved away. Nikitha lent him money and when she asked for the money back, he called her to his house and committed the crime."
Nikitha was a promising professional. She completed her master's in health information technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in 2022-23. Since February 2025, she had been working as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health. Before moving to the US, she worked as a clinical data analyst at a corporate hospital in Hyderabad.
Her LinkedIn profile from December 2025 revealed her aspirations. She celebrated receiving the 'All-In Award' at Vheda Health, writing, "This award is a reminder of the purpose and responsibility I carry forward. I'm excited to continue contributing with intention, creativity, and that same ‘all-in' energy."
Manhunt and Community Outpouring
Howard County police have issued warrants for Arjun Sharma on first- and second-degree murder charges. He is believed to have fled to India, prompting an international manhunt. The Indian Embassy in the US confirmed it is in touch with Nikitha's family, providing consular assistance and following up with local authorities.
Following her disappearance, the Indian diaspora launched extensive online search efforts. A Facebook post by community member Shekhar Goswami urged locals in Columbia to be vigilant. The crime has sent shockwaves through the Telugu community in Maryland and Hyderabad, uniting them in grief and demands for justice.
The case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by Indians abroad and has intensified efforts by authorities to locate the suspect and bring him to justice.
