Arjun Sharma, Columbia, Maryland man wanted in fatal stabbing of ex girlfriend, Nikitha Godishala, of Ellicott City after reporting her missing only to then fly to India with cops discovering her body at his apartment hours later. International manhunt underway.
Authorities have launched an international manhunt for a man wanted in the fatal stabbing of his ex girlfriend.
The search for the ex boyfriend comes after Howard County, Maryland officials saying the boyfriend filed a missing persons report with authorities on Friday. The missing woman was found deceased, with multiple stab wounds inside the man’s Columbia apartment the following day.
Ex boyfriend flees to India after reporting ex gf missing only for cops to find her slain body the next day
It was later discovered that the boyfriend had fled the United States just hours after reporting his ex girlfriend missing, FOX5DC reported.
Come Sunday, investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging 26-year-old Arjun Sharma on first and second-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala, of Ellicott City.
Sharma had called on Friday to tell police he had last seen Godishala on Wednesday, New Year’s Eve at his apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road. Police say Sharma then booked a flight to India, leaving the U.S later that Friday.
A search warrant was executed at the man’s apartment on Saturday where officers said they found his ex-girlfriend’s body with stab wounds and other trauma. Detectives believe Sharma killed Godishala shortly after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. It is around that time that the woman had ceased to respond to messages from loved ones who then reached out to authorities.
Red flags in couple’s doomed relationship
Leading up to the slaying, CBS News cited police saying the suspect calling 911 to report his ex-girlfriend missing on Friday. The wanted man is believed to have then headed to Dulles International Airport and boarded a plane bound for India.
‘There was obviously some premeditation to be able to do this and then to flee the country, so that’s what we have right now as far as charges,’ Howard County police spokesman Seth Hoffman told the outlet.
Authorities had yet to recover the murder weapon the spokesperson said.
Hoffman said there were no calls to service or other prior complaints at the apartment.
‘We are unaware of any previous calls for service or incidents involving the two of them,’ Hoffman said. ‘We do believe it wasn’t uncommon that they would still meet each other and have communication after their relationship ended, but we don’t have a motive right now as to why he would kill her.’
‘We received information from friends and family that really raised some red flags. It really propelled the investigation towards the instance of foul play being involved,’ Hoffman added.
International manhunt
It appears the couple’s relationship had been on the rocks as recent as in the middle of the year.
Godishala posted in a Facebook group in August looking for someone to take over her room in the apartment and described her ex as ‘respectful’ and clean.
According to Howard County Police, despite Sharma and Godishala no longer being together, the former couple continued to still meet.
Howard County Police said they are working with federal and international authorities, including Interpol and the Indian Embassy to capture Sharma.
A motive is not currently known and the investigation is ongoing.
