A former University of South Florida student has been charged with the premeditated murder of his roommate and the roommate’s girlfriend, two doctoral students from Bangladesh who disappeared earlier this month.
Murder Charges and Legal Proceedings
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon. Authorities describe the crimes as premeditated in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
Abugharbieh appeared in a Tampa court on Saturday, where he was ordered held without bond. A subsequent detention hearing is scheduled for April 28 at 9:00 a.m.
The Investigation and Standoff
The case evolved from a missing persons search into a criminal investigation spanning Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The search for the students began on April 17 after a friend alerted authorities.
On Friday, April 24, deputies responded to a domestic violence report at the 14000 block of Pine Glen Circle, the home of Abugharbieh’s family. The suspect barricaded himself inside, prompting a response from SWAT, a Bomb Disposal Team, a Drone Response Team, and crisis negotiators.
Following the standoff, Abugharbieh surrendered to police. He was observed exiting the residence wearing only a blue towel wrapped around his waist.
Victim Identities and Recovery Efforts
Investigators located the remains of Zamil Limon on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning. Limon was a student of geography, environmental science, and policy.
The search continues for Nahida Bristy, a chemical engineering PhD candidate and graduate of Noakhali Science and Technology University. Her university described her as a talented and promising student.
Suspect Background
Abugharbieh is a native-born U.S. Citizen who previously studied management at USF from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023. He was not currently enrolled at the university at the time of the arrests.
Court records indicate a history of legal issues, including misdemeanor charges for battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in 2023. He completed a diversion program for first-time offenders in 2024.
records show two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023, one of which resulted in a granted injunction. He has also been accused of various traffic violations.
Future Developments
Authorities may continue to search for the remains of Nahida Bristy as the investigation remains active. An autopsy of Zamil Limon’s remains is being conducted to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Legal proceedings are likely to focus on the evidence presented to the State Attorney’s Office, which led to the current first-degree murder charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were Zamil Limon’s remains found?
Investigators found the remains of Zamil Limon on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning.
What are the current charges against Hisham Abugharbieh?
He is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon (premeditated) in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
When were the two students last seen?
Both were last seen on April 16. Zamil Limon was last seen at 9:00 a.m. At his residence, and Nahida Bristy was last seen an hour later at the NES Building on the USF Tampa campus.
How should universities balance the openness of campus life with the need for rigorous security for international doctoral students?
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