Final rites held for Nikitha Godishala in Hyderabad after alleged murder in US

Nikitha Godishala's final rites were held in Hyderabad after her murder in the US. She was found dead on December 31, 2025, with multiple stab wounds. The suspect fled to India

Hyderabad: The final rites of Nikitha Godishala (27), the city-based woman who was allegedly murdered in the US last week, were held in the city on Friday.

Several family and friends gathered to bid a tearful adieu to the mortal remains of the 27-year-old woman, at a crematorium in Marredpally. Earlier in the day, her mortal remains had arrived at the RGI airport and close relatives had collected it.

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Nikitha’s family had earlier said that the last rites would be conducted privately, with police protection sought to ensure dignity and order.

Nikitha was found dead on December 31, 2025, at a residence in Columbia, Maryland, where the suspect, Arjun Sharma, was staying. She had suffered multiple stab injuries, and investigators believe the incident occurred on the evening of the same day.

Police informed the family that Sharma filed a missing complaint on January 1, 2026 and left the US for India the following day. During the period Nikitha was reported missing, suspicious financial activity was noticed in her bank account.

The family also stated that the suspect had contacted her acquaintances seeking money, citing personal difficulties.