A 26-year-old former student from the University of South Florida, Hisham Abugharbieh, has been charged with the first-degree premeditated murder of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limon's girlfriend, Nahida Bristy. Both victims were doctoral students from Bangladesh who went missing earlier this month, leading to a significant investigation by the authorities.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Abugharbieh faces two counts of murder. His initial court appearance occurred on Saturday in Tampa, where he was ordered to be held without bond. A hearing is scheduled for April 28. As of Friday, Limon's remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge, while Bristy remains missing.
Abugharbieh, a U.S. citizen, was first taken into custody on preliminary charges related to unlawfully moving a dead body, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, failure to report a death, and battery. At this time, there is no attorney listed for him in online court records, and inquiries to the public defender's office have gone unanswered.
Law enforcement encountered Abugharbieh after responding to a domestic violence report at his family’s home located just north of the USF campus. Following an initial confrontation, he barricaded himself inside the residence, prompting a SWAT team response that included a drone, a robot, and crisis negotiators. Eventually, Abugharbieh surrendered peacefully.
Limon and Bristy, both 27 years old, were reportedly considering marriage. They disappeared from campus on April 16, with Limon last seen at his residence in an off-campus apartment where he lived with Abugharbieh. Bristy was last spotted at a campus science building shortly after Limon’s last known location.
Authorities have planned an autopsy to establish the manner and cause of Limon's death, with the results expected to be released Saturday morning. Abugharbieh, who had previously attended USF from Spring 2021 until Spring 2023, was pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Management but was not enrolled at the time of the incident.
While Limon was studying geography, environmental science, and policy, Bristy was focused on chemical engineering, having graduated from Noakhali Science and Technology University. Following her disappearance, the university expressed its grief over her loss and demanded justice for both victims, emphasizing their commitment to respect Bristy’s memory.
As the search for Bristy continues, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward. Furthermore, it has been noted that Abugharbieh has a history of legal troubles, including previous arrests for battery and burglary in September 2023. He had also been involved in domestic violence cases, leading to protective orders being granted against him by a judge.
In summary, the unfathomable tragedy surrounding the deaths of Limon and Bristy has highlighted serious issues related to domestic violence and the safety of students. The University of South Florida community mourns the loss of two promising individuals and continues to seek answers in this disturbing case.
