COLUMBIA, Md. — Howard County Police discovered a missing woman dead with multiple stab wounds inside her ex-boyfriend's apartment.
WATCH: Missing Ellicott City woman found dead in ex-boyfriend's apartment
Arjun Sharma, 26, reported his ex-girlfriend, 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala, missing overnight on January 2.
He told investigators Godishala was last seen on New Year's Eve at his place, the Ten M complex, on Twin Rivers Road.
"We received information from family and friends that started to raise some red flags as you would say that really propelled the investigation towards the instances of foul play being involved," said Seth Hoffman with Howard County Police.
On January 3 detectives searched Sharma's apartment, where they found Godishala's body.
Turns out Sharma fled the United States on a flight to India right after reporting her missing.
Sharma is now wanted for her murder.
Although no motive was revealed, it's believed Sharma killed Godishala on December 31 around 7 pm.
Police are working with the feds to locate and arrest him. The U.S. based Indian Embassy said they've been in contact with Godishala's family overseas in partnership with local authorities.
The Embassy is in contact with the family of Ms. Nikitha Godishala and is extending all possible consular assistance. The Embassy is also following up the matter with the local authorities. @MEAIndia
— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) January 4, 2026
Godishala's official cause of death is pending an autopsy.
In addition to multiple stab wounds, police say Godishala suffered other trauma to her body without sharing specifics.
It's unclear how long the pair were together or when they split, however detectives believe they kept in touch.
Neighbors react
Neighbors recalled seeing police in the area on Saturday but weren't immediately made aware of what transpired.
News of a murder in their building came as a shock, although no one reported hearing any noise or seeing anything out of the ordinary on the night of the murder.
“I’ve seen him a couple times, I’ve seen his family, I have seen her, not both of them together," one resident named Rodriguez told us. "It does surprise me. I couldn’t imagine this guy doing something like that he seems like a really nice guy."
Concerns later arose when the property's management group issued a letter to tennants informing them of an active investigation, all while attempting to reassure that there was no ongoing threat.
“Obviously they didn’t have to get into like who, when, where, what, why but just like a brief overview would have been nice in my opinion," Nathan, another neighbor, said.
“Yes we want to know what’s going on. And I understand privacy issues, but when you’re talking about a murder, I think residents need to know what’s going on here. This is not a joke. And I really feel bad for the young lady’s family," Rodriguez added.
One decade later
An unrelated, but similar case occurred more than a decade ago in neighboring Anne Arundel County.
A night shift at Dunkin' Donuts on Arundel Mills Boulevard ended in violence when investigators say husband Bhadreshkumar Patel murdered his wife, Palak Patel, after she had made plans to return to their home country of India.
The couple worked there together.
Patel fled the country shortly after the murder. As of April 2025, he still remains unaccounted for.
If you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. In Maryland, the House of Ruth's 24-7 line is 410-889-7884.
