Hyderabad Woman Murdered in US over Financial Dispute

New Delhi, january 06, 2026: In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage across the Indian community, 27-year-old Nikitha Rao Godishala, a data analyst from Hyderabad, was found murdered in an apartment in Columbia, Maryland, USA. The prime suspect, Arjun Sharma (26), allegedly reported her missing to the police before fleeing to India to evade arrest.

The Tragic New Year’s Eve

Nikitha, a successful professional who had recently received an “All-In Award” from her employer, Vheda Health, was last seen on December 31, 2025. According to police investigations, she was allegedly killed shortly after 7:00 PM that evening.

Investigators discovered her body on January 3, 2026, bearing multiple stab wounds, hidden inside Sharma’s apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.

Financial Dispute: A Deadly Motive?

While some initial reports labeled Sharma as Nikitha’s ex-boyfriend, her father, Anand Godishala, has clarified that Sharma was a former roommate who had lived with Nikitha and two others. The family alleges a deep financial dispute led to the murder:

• The Loan: Family members claim Nikitha and her cousin, Saraswati, had lent Sharma roughly $4,500 (approx. ₹3.75 lakh).
• The Request for Repayment: On New Year’s Eve, Nikitha reportedly went to Sharma’s apartment to collect the remaining $1,000 he owed.
• Refusal of Further Help: On January 2, even after the alleged murder, Sharma reportedly contacted the cousin asking for another $1,000, which she refused.
• Unauthorized Transactions: The family further alleges that Sharma made unauthorized withdrawals of approximately $3,500 from Nikitha’s bank account before escaping the country.

The Suspect’s Deceptive Escape

In a cold and calculated move, Sharma reportedly filed a missing person’s report with the Howard County Police on January 2, claiming he hadn’t seen Nikitha since New Year’s Eve.

Using the time bought by this deception, he boarded a flight from Dulles International Airport. Reports indicate he arrived in India on January 4, citing a “hand injury” as his reason for travel. However, the law caught up with him quickly; following coordination between U.S. federal agencies and Indian authorities, Sharma was reportedly arrested by Interpol in Tamil Nadu on January 5.