Investigators say the suspect reported his ex-girlfriend missing, then left the country the same day.
Ellicott City, MD (JK) – Howard County police have obtained an arrest warrant for a Columbia man after locating a woman who was reported missing earlier this month deceased inside his apartment with stab wounds.
Police say 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City was found Saturday, Jan. 3, inside an apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road in Columbia. Investigators believe she was killed shortly after 7 p.m. on Dec. 31.
Authorities identified the suspect as 26-year-old Arjun Sharma of Columbia, Godishala’s ex-boyfriend. According to police, Sharma contacted authorities on Jan. 2 to report Godishala missing, stating he last saw her on New Year’s Eve at his apartment. Detectives later learned that Sharma left the country on a flight to India later that same day.
Following the missing person report, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant for Sharma’s apartment, where Godishala’s body was discovered.
Police have secured a warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder. The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives say no motive has been determined at this time.
Howard County police are working with federal law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest Sharma. Anyone with information related to the case is urged to contact police.
By Jimmy Key