Accused ex-boyfriend, unknown motive, last Instagram post: What we know so far about Indian woman found dead in the US

Indian national Nikitha Godishala was found dead in Maryland, US.

• Nikitha Godishala found dead in Maryland; ex-boyfriend charged with murder
• Arjun Sharma fled to India; Interpol red notice expected for his arrest
• Indian Embassy assisting Godishala's family and coordinating with US authorities

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The killing of 27-year-old Nikitha Rao Godishala, an Indian national living in the United States, has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora after details of her final days and social media posts resurfaced online.

Godishala was found dead with stab wounds inside the Maryland apartment of her former boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, days after she was reported missing. US police have charged Sharma with first- and second-degree murder and are now seeking his arrest after he fled the country.

As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to her death, public attention has increasingly focused on Godishala’s last social media activity, which many now view as haunting in hindsight.

Must read: Who was Nikitha Godishala? Indian woman found dead in US, ex-boyfriend flees to India

Final social media posts resurface

Godishala’s final Instagram post, shared shortly before she went missing, was a photo dump featuring moments from her daily life, images from the gym, time spent with friends, and celebrations from her recent birthday. The caption was casual and upbeat: “My camera roll got full!”

Weeks earlier, she had posted a short video that has since gone viral. The clip shows her walking alone on a quiet street, browsing in a library, and later sitting with a drink while wearing a cowboy hat. Overlaid on the video were words that many now see as reflective of her journey and resilience:

“Are you scared? Scared? I once crossed the oceans with just two suitcases, leaving behind a life and starting a new one all alone, almost failed, rebuild it all over again :)”

Missing report and discovery of the body

Concern over Godishala’s whereabouts first surfaced on social media when friends shared an appeal on Facebook seeking help to locate her. “Please help us find Nikitha,” the post read, urging people in and around Columbia, Maryland, to stay alert.

On January 2, her ex-boyfriend Arjun Sharma also filed a missing-person report, telling police that he had last seen her on December 31 at his apartment on the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.

The following day, Howard County police executed a search warrant at the same apartment and discovered Godishala’s body with stab wounds. By that time, investigators learned that Sharma had already left the United States and travelled to India.

Detectives believe the killing took place shortly after 7 pm on December 31.

No motive yet, but “red flags” identified

Police have said that while no clear motive has been established, information gathered from friends and family raised concerns early in the investigation.

“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 WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren.

Authorities said there were no prior police calls or reported incidents involving the couple 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.”

International manhunt underway

Howard County police have obtained an arrest warrant charging Sharma with first- and second-degree murder and are working with US federal agencies to locate him. Interpol is expected to issue a red notice, which would alert law enforcement agencies worldwide, including in India.

“From there, that goes out to all the countries that work with Interpol, which is close to 200 countries, including India,” Hoffman said, as quoted by CBS News. “They will begin to track him and hopefully arrest him. From there, it could take quite a bit of time to process and hopefully get him extradited.”

Indian Embassy offers support

Following confirmation of Godishala’s death, the Indian Embassy in the United States said it is assisting the family and coordinating 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,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The case has sparked grief, anger and renewed conversations around safety, accountability and cross-border justice as investigators pursue a suspect who fled the country in the immediate aftermath of the crime.