Hyderabad Woman Murdered in US Over Money Dispute? Shocking Claims by Family

Fresh revelations have emerged in the murder of Nikitha Godishala, a 27-year-old Indian woman from Hyderabad whose body was found in the U.S. state of Maryland days after she was reported missing on New Year’s Eve.

Her ex-boyfriend, Arjun Sharma, has been charged with first- and second-degree murder. The case has taken a darker turn after her cousin and father alleged that a financial dispute may have been the motive behind the killing.

Money angle behind the murder?

Nikitha’s cousin Saraswati Godishala told authorities that she had lent Arjun Sharma $4,500 on December 27 at his request. He returned $3,500, but later sought another $1,000, which she refused.

According to Saraswati, Nikitha had been following up with Sharma for the remaining $1,000 on December 31. She also alleged that Sharma made unauthorised transactions worth around $3,500 from Nikitha’s bank account before leaving the U.S., citing a hand injury and urgent medical treatment.

Police believe Nikitha was killed shortly after 7 pm on December 31.

Father backs financial dispute claim

Nikitha’s father Anand Godishala, speaking from Secunderabad, said Sharma had borrowed money from several people, including his daughter.

“He might have killed her when she went to his flat to ask for her money back,” he said, adding that he last spoke to Nikitha on New Year’s Eve.

Who was Nikitha Godishala?

Nikitha moved from Hyderabad to the U.S. in 2021 for higher studies. She completed her master’s degree in health information technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and later worked as a data and strategy analyst at Vheda Health in Columbia, Maryland.

Before moving abroad, she studied pharmacy at Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University and worked at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Hospitals in Secunderabad.

Her body was found while U.S. police were investigating a missing persons complaint that had ironically been filed by Sharma himself on January 2. The Indian Embassy in the United States has said it is in touch with the family.

Case under investigation

U.S. authorities are continuing their investigation into the murder, examining financial records, phone data, and travel details linked to the accused. Sharma remains in custody as the legal process moves forward.