A man identified as Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh has been arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of a University of South Florida (USF) doctoral student, as a case that began as a missing persons report has escalated into a much more bigger criminal investigation.
26-year-old Abugharbieh was taken into custody in Tampa after police responded to a domestic violence call at a residence linked to him. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, he initially barricaded himself inside the home before surrendering to a SWAT team following a standoff.
Authorities say Abugharbieh was the roommate of Zamil Limon, one of two students reported missing earlier this month alongside Nahida Bristy, both 27 and originally from Bangladesh. Limon’s remains were later found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay, while Bristy remains missing.
Law enforcement officials said Abugharbieh has been charged on preliminary counts including domestic violence battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death, and unlawfully moving or handling a dead body.
Investigators said the case began unfolding after a family friend reported the two students missing when they could not be contacted. Limon and Bristy were last seen on April 16 in separate locations near the USF campus.
Deputies later focused attention on Abugharbieh after tracing links to the missing students. Police said he is not a student at USF but had been living with Limon in an off-campus apartment.
Authorities have not confirmed a motive. They also said the investigation expanded across multiple jurisdictions as detectives searched areas around Tampa and nearby counties. Law enforcement agencies described the case as complex and ongoing.
During the arrest operation, police said they had to activate specialised units including SWAT after Abugharbieh refused initial commands to exit the home. He was eventually taken into custody.
The case remains active, with multiple charges still preliminary and further forensic results expected as authorities continue piecing together what happened in the days leading up to the students’ disappearance.
