A man accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students reportedly asked the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT about placing a person in a trash bag and discarding the body in a dumpster just days before the victims disappeared, according to court documents.
Details of the Case
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limon’s friend, Nahida Bristy, both 27. Limon’s remains were discovered on Friday, while Bristy remains missing, though authorities believe she is deceased. Prosecutors allege that on the night of April 13, three days before Limon and Bristy were last seen alive, Abugharbieh queried ChatGPT about placing a human in a garbage bag and throwing it into a dumpster, as reported by NBC News.
According to the court documents, Abugharbieh asked the chatbot: “What happens if a human has a put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster.” ChatGPT responded that the inquiry seemed dangerous, to which Abugharbieh replied: “How would they find out.”
Disappearance and Investigation
Limon and Bristy, both from Bangladesh, went missing within approximately an hour of each other on April 16. The pair had previously been in a relationship, according to reports. Limon, a doctoral candidate in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his apartment near campus. Bristy, a chemical engineering doctoral student residing on campus, was last seen about an hour later at the university’s Natural and Environmental Sciences Building.
Investigators identified Abugharbieh, who studied business management at the university from 2021 to 2023, as a person of interest during the probe. A roommate told authorities that Abugharbieh was observed moving cardboard boxes from his room to a compactor dumpster at their apartment complex on April 17, the day after the victims vanished. Following a search of the dumpster, investigators discovered items belonging to Limon, including a student ID and credit cards in his name.
Evidence and Charges
Prosecutors also noted that Abugharbieh claimed he gave Limon and Bristy a ride to Clearwater on the day they were last seen. Investigators allege he purchased trash bags, Lysol wipes, and Febreeze that same night. Based on the volume of blood found at Abugharbieh’s residence, which he shared with Limon, authorities informed Bristy’s family that she is likely dead, according to CBS News.
Limon’s remains were discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, spanning Old Tampa Bay between Tampa and St. Petersburg, approximately 20 miles from his off-campus home. The remains were inside a heavy-duty trash bag emitting a decomposition odor, according to the court filing. The preliminary cause of death was homicide due to “multiple sharp force injuries.”
Marine and dive teams continued searching for Bristy over the weekend. Human remains were found in the water on Sunday but have not yet been identified. Authorities stated there is no evidence suggesting Bristy is alive, though a motive for the killings has not been disclosed.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Abugharbieh was arrested on Friday after a brief standoff with police at his home. He has prior arrests, including charges of battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and another battery charge in May of that year, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. He is also charged with battery, false imprisonment, failure to report a death, storing remains in unapproved conditions, and tampering with evidence.
Abugharbieh is being held without bond and has a hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Authorities continue to search for Bristy and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement. Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister stated: “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. 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.”
In a statement released Saturday, USF described Bristy as a talented and promising student. Vice Chancellor Mohammad Ismail said: “Her sudden passing has deeply saddened all of us. The university family pays deep respect to her memory. At the same time, we demand punishment for those involved in her death and compensation for the victim’s family.”
