Howard County police say a 27-year-old Ellicott City woman who was reported missing on January 2 was found deceased with stab wounds inside a Columbia apartment, and her ex-boyfriend is now wanted on murder charges.
According to police, Arjun Sharma, 26, of Columbia, contacted authorities on January 2 to report his ex-girlfriend, Nikitha Godishala, missing. Sharma told officers he last saw Godishala on December 31 at his apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.
Investigators later learned that Sharma left the country on a flight to India later that same day, January 2. On January 3, Howard County police detectives executed a search warrant at Sharma’s apartment, where they located Godishala deceased. Police said she suffered stab wounds.
Through the investigation, detectives believe Godishala was killed shortly after 7 p.m. on December 31. At this time, police say no motive has been determined and the investigation remains ongoing.
An arrest warrant has been obtained for Sharma, charging him with first- and second-degree murder. Howard County police are working with United States federal law enforcement authorities to locate and arrest him.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact Howard County police.
