Washington, Jan 5 (NationPress) A 27-year-old Indian healthcare professional, Nikitha Godishala, was tragically discovered stabbed to death in an apartment located in Columbia, Maryland, according to local authorities. An international manhunt has been initiated for her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, who departed to India mere hours after he filed a report stating she was missing.

The Howard County Police reported on Sunday that Godishala was found deceased on January 3 in the residence belonging to Sharma, aged 26, who also hails from India. He is currently wanted on charges of first- and second-degree murder, and U.S. law enforcement is collaborating with federal agencies to locate and apprehend him after it was confirmed he flew to India.

On January 2, Sharma informed authorities that he had last seen Godishala on December 31 at his apartment on Twin Rivers Road. Investigators later established that he left the United States for India later that same day, as detailed in an official statement.

Upon executing a search warrant at the apartment on January 3, detectives discovered Godishala’s body, which exhibited several stab wounds. Authorities believe she was murdered shortly after 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. The investigation remains active, with no established motive at this time, according to a media release.

Following the discovery of her body, an arrest warrant was issued for Sharma, charging him with both first- and second-degree murder. The Howard County Police department stated that they are working closely with U.S. federal law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the suspect.

As per her LinkedIn profile, Godishala was a highly skilled professional in healthcare and data analytics, boasting expertise in pharmacy, clinical research, health information technology, and data management. She was dedicated to leveraging data-driven insights to enhance healthcare systems and patient outcomes, as reflected in her professional background.

Godishala held a master’s degree in Health Information Technology from University of Maryland Baltimore County and a Doctor of Pharmacy from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in India. Her skill set included data analytics, dashboard development, HIPAA regulations, and proficiency in tools like SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and Python.

In the United States, first-degree murder pertains to premeditated killings, while second-degree murder refers to intentional acts of murder without prior planning.

It is worth noting that the United States and India maintain an extradition treaty that facilitates cooperation in serious criminal matters, although these proceedings typically involve judicial reviews and diplomatic arrangements that can span several months.