A man arrested after a standoff with police has been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of two Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida (USF). Hisham Abugharbieh faces two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced on Saturday.
Abugharbieh was the off-campus apartment roommate of Limon, whose remains were discovered on Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay. Bristy remained missing as of Saturday morning; however, unspecified evidence presented to the local state attorney's office led to Abugharbieh being charged with her murder as well.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office stated it would not comment on the findings in the case against Abugharbieh to protect the integrity of the investigation. After the discovery of Limon's remains, Abugharbieh had been arrested at his family's home nearby on preliminary charges, including unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery.
Officers encountered Abugharbieh while responding to a domestic violence report at his family's home, just north of the campus, and were able to remove his relatives to safety. He then barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A special tactical team responded, along with a drone, a robot, and crisis negotiators, before Abugharbieh emerged with his hands up, apparently wearing only a blue towel.
Limon and Bristy, both 27, were a couple and were considering marriage, a relative said. They disappeared from the USF campus on April 16. Limon, who was studying geography, environmental science, and policy, was last seen at his home in an apartment complex where he lived with Abugharbieh. Bristy, who was studying chemical engineering and lived on campus, was last seen an hour later at a campus science building.
A family friend contacted authorities on April 17 after being unable to reach either one, USF police said. Investigators interviewed Abugharbieh, a US citizen, on Thursday, but he ended the interview. He was speaking with detectives again after his arrest on Friday. Abugharbieh is considered the only suspect in the case, which gained national media attention. He made an initial court appearance on Saturday in Tampa, where he was ordered held without bond. A hearing was tentatively set for April 28.
An autopsy was being conducted on Limon to determine the manner and cause of death, with results possible by Saturday. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said, 'This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and affected many who were hoping for a safe resolution. 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.'
Abugharbieh had studied at USF but was not enrolled at the time of his arrest. University records showed he attended from 2021 to 2023 pursuing a Bachelor of Science in management. He had several previous arrests, including charges of battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and battery that May, both classified as misdemeanors. Court records indicate he may have entered a diversion program. Hillsborough County court records also showed two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023; a judge granted an injunction in one case and denied the other.
Limon was studying geography, environmental science, and policy, while Bristy was a PhD candidate in chemical engineering. She was a graduate of Noakhali Science and Technology University, which released a statement expressing deep sadness and demanding punishment for those involved and compensation for the victim's family.
