[Columbia, Maryland] Man Arjun Sharma Charged in Howard County for Murder

[Columbia, Maryland] Man Arjun Sharma Charged in Howard County for Murder

COLUMBIA, MD — Arjun Sharma, a 26-year-old resident of Columbia, is facing murder charges in Howard County in connection with the killing of his ex-girlfriend, whose body was discovered earlier this month.

According to the Howard County Police Department, Sharma is accused in the death of 27-year-old Nikitha Godishala of Ellicott City, who was reported missing on Jan. 2. Investigators say Sharma was taken into custody through an arrest warrant issued after detectives determined Godishala was fatally stabbed inside his apartment in the 10100 block of Twin Rivers Road.

Authorities said the incident occurred on Dec. 31, shortly after 7 p.m. Godishala was last seen at Sharma’s apartment that evening. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence on Jan. 3, where they found Godishala dead with stab wounds.

Sharma is charged with first- and second-degree murder and would be transported to the Howard County Detention Center upon arrest. Police said Sharma left the country for India on the same day he reported Godishala missing, and federal authorities are assisting in efforts to locate and arrest him.