One student’s remains were found near a Tampa bridge as investigators searched for the second victim.
TAMPA, Fla. — A 26-year-old former University of South Florida student has been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of two doctoral students who disappeared from the Tampa area on April 16, authorities said.
Hisham Abugharbieh faces two counts of premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27. Limon’s remains were found Friday near the Howard Frankland Bridge. Bristy remained missing as deputies and prosecutors moved forward with charges.
Abugharbieh was Limon’s roommate at an off-campus home, according to investigators. Deputies arrested him Friday after responding to a domestic violence call at a family home in the Lake Forest community north of the USF campus. Authorities said relatives were moved to safety before Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside. A SWAT team, crisis negotiators, a drone and a robot were used before he surrendered. He later appeared in court in Tampa wearing a protective gown and was ordered held without bond.
Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said Limon’s cause and manner of death were pending autopsy results. Authorities said evidence presented to the state attorney’s office supported murder charges in both deaths. Bristy’s family said police told them she was likely dead based on the amount of blood found at the residence Abugharbieh shared with Limon. “My home is just broken,” Bristy’s brother, Zahid Prato, said.
Limon and Bristy were doctoral students from Bangladesh. Limon studied geography, environmental science and policy, and family members said he had been preparing to present his doctoral work. Bristy studied chemical engineering and had graduated from Noakhali Science and Technology University before continuing her studies at USF. A relative said the couple had been considering marriage.
Abugharbieh also faces charges tied to the handling of the case, including false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a body. Court and sheriff’s records also showed earlier misdemeanor cases and domestic violence petitions involving a family member in 2023. Investigators have not released a motive.
A friend of Limon and Bristy told CBS News that Limon had raised concerns about his roommate before the students disappeared. A 2023 protective order obtained by CBS News said Abugharbieh’s brother had alleged troubling behavior inside the family home. The sheriff’s office said there was no ongoing threat to the USF campus.
Abugharbieh is scheduled to return to court April 28. Investigators said the search for Bristy continues, while prosecutors pursue the murder case and detectives review evidence from the home and bridge area.
Author note: Last updated April 26, 2026.