Hyderabad Student’s Death in US Takes Dark Turn

The murder case of a young woman from Hyderabad in the United States has taken a disturbing turn after new details came out from her family. The victim Nikitha Godishala was 27 years old. She was reported missing on New Year’s Eve and was later found dead in the US state of Maryland. Police have arrested her former boyfriend Arjun Sharma and charged him with first and second degree murder.

Nikitha moved from Hyderabad to the United States in 2021 to continue her studies. After completing her education she stayed back to work. According to investigators the crime happened on December 31 shortly after evening hours.

The case became more serious after Nikitha’s cousin Saraswati Godishala shared shocking claims. She said Arjun Sharma had borrowed money from her a few days before the incident. On December 27 she sent him four thousand five hundred dollars. He later returned three thousand five hundred dollars. He again asked for one thousand dollars on January 2 but she refused.

Saraswati also stated that Nikitha was following up with Arjun to recover the remaining money. She last contacted him about this on December 31. She believes this financial dispute could have triggered the crime.

Nikitha’s father Anand Godishala supported this claim. He said Arjun often borrowed money from several people including his daughter. He believes Nikitha went to Arjun’s flat to ask for her money and may have been killed during the confrontation. Anand also shared that he spoke to his daughter on the phone for the last time on New Year’s Eve.

The family further alleged that Arjun made unauthorized transactions from Nikitha’s bank account worth about three thousand five hundred dollars. They claimed he left the country later citing a hand injury and urgent medical treatment.

Nikitha had a strong academic background. She studied pharmacy at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and worked at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Secunderabad. Later she completed her master’s degree at University of Maryland Baltimore County. She joined Vheda Health in February 2025 as a data and strategy analyst.

The Indian Embassy has confirmed that it is in touch with the family. The investigation is still ongoing and authorities are continuing to gather evidence to ensure justice.