A former University of South Florida student has been charged with murder in the deaths of two missing doctoral students after one of them was found dead this week.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limon’s friend, Nahida Bristy, both 27, who were reported missing shortly after they were last seen on April 16.
Limon’s body was discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, which spans Old Tampa Bay between Tampa and St. Petersburg, about 20 miles from his off-campus home near the university, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer.
Bristy remains missing, and marine and dive teams have been searching the waters near the bridge.
Abugharbieh was taken into custody on Friday after deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a home less than a mile and a half from where Limon was last seen.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Friday.
When deputies arrived, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside and refused to come out, Maurer said. A SWAT team, bomb disposal unit and crisis negotiators were called in, and he surrendered around 10:30 a.m.
Abugharbieh was initially arrested on charges including battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a dead body.
The sheriff’s office said the first-degree murder charges were filed Saturday after investigators presented evidence to the Florida State Attorney’s Office. Authorities have not disclosed a motive.
Investigators told Bristy’s family that, based on the volume of blood discovered at Abugharbieh's residence, which he shared with Limon, she is also likely dead, CBS News reported.
“Police told us she is no longer with us,” Bristy's brother, Zahid Prato, told CBS News, adding that they were told that she may have been dismembered and that her body may never be found.
Limon and Bristy, both from Bangladesh, went missing within about an hour of each other on April 16. Limon, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his apartment a few blocks from campus.
Bristy, a doctoral student in chemical engineering who lived on campus, was last seen about an hour later at the university’s Natural and Environmental Sciences Building.
A family friend reported them missing the next day after being unable to reach either student, prompting a multi-agency search.
Investigators said Abugharbieh, who studied business management at the university from 2021 to 2023 but is not currently enrolled, was identified as a person of interest during the investigation.
Limon's cause of death will be determined by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office.
Authorities continue to search for Bristy and are asking anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
“While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth,” Sheriff Chronister added.
“We will continue to follow every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable. Our thoughts remain with the families of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy during this time.”
