The grieving family of Ms Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old data analyst from Hyderabad, found murdered in Maryland, United States, has demanded an international arrest warrant against the prime suspect, Arjun Sharma, who allegedly fled to India after committing the crime.
Ms Nikitha was reported missing on Jan 2 by Arjun, her former roommate, who police now believe was responsible for her brutal death, reported NDTV.
Her body was discovered the following day with multiple stab wounds in Arjun’s Columbia, Maryland, apartment.
Howard County Police subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Arjun on first- and second-degree murder charges, calling the act premeditated.
Ms Nikitha’s father, Anand Godishala, publicly rejected reports labelling Arjun as his daughter’s ex-boyfriend, clarifying that he was only a former housemate who had borrowed money from her.
“He was never her boyfriend,” Mr Anand said, adding that the murder was financially motivated. “When she demanded repayment, he called her to his house and killed her.”
Family members revealed that Arjun had taken a US$4,500 (S$5,765) loan from Ms Nikitha, returned US$3,500, and later asked for another US$1,000, which she refused. Ms Nikitha went to his apartment on Dec 31, reportedly to retrieve the money, and never returned.
The Godishalas are now urgently seeking the return of her mortal remains to Hyderabad, reported the Times of India.
Mr Anand and his wife – a heart patient – are devastated and have appealed to both the Indian and US governments to expedite the repatriation process.
The Indian Embassy in Washington, DC, confirmed on social media that it is in close contact with Ms Nikitha’s family and is extending full consular assistance. “We are also following up with local authorities,” the embassy said.
Ms Nikitha had been living in the US for four years. After completing her Master’s degree in health information technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, she began working as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health in February 2025.
Just weeks before her death, she was awarded the “All-In Award” at her company, sharing her career milestones on LinkedIn with hope and pride.
The news of her murder has shocked both the Indian diaspora in the US and her hometown of Hyderabad. The Indian community in Maryland had earlier launched an online campaign to help find her when she was missing.
Meanwhile, US authorities are working with their Indian counterparts to locate Arjun, who remains at large. Although there were reports of an arrest in Tamil Nadu, officials later clarified the detained individual was not the accused.
Ms Nikitha’s family continues to call for swift justice: “He must be arrested, extradited, and punished,” Mr Anand said, adding that no family should suffer such a tragedy across borders.
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29 Dec 2025 12:06
