The body of a missing USF doctoral student was located about a week after he and another student were reported missing, and now, his roommate has been charged with two counts of murder, authorities announced April 25.
Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy, both 27, were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the university’s police department. On April 24, Limon’s remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa and positively identified, Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said at an April 24 news conference.
Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.
Here’s everything we know about the case.
Who are the missing FSU students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy the students who went missing?
Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old PhD candidate at USF, was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. Nahida Bristy, also 27, was pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Limon and Bristy were last seen the morning of Thursday, April 16.
Both families described Limon and Bristy as hardworking, dedicated, responsible students and said it was unusual for both to go days without talking to family members. They both had summer trips planned to their home country of Bangladesh. A family friend reported both of them missing shortly before 5 p.m. April 17 after not being able to reach either of them.
Limon’s remains were located on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. His roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.
Bristy’s body is yet to be found.
Who is Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, the suspect charged with killing two USG doctoral students?
Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested after a standoff with authorities where he barricaded himself in his home near the university.
Abugharbieh is facing two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon for the deaths of Zamil and Nahida Bristy, both 27, the Hillsborough County Sherriff’s Office said.
Abugharbieh is a U.S. citizen who previously took classes at USF from 2021 to 2023, according to a university spokesperson. He does have a criminal record including a 2023 charge of batter and burglary. Also that year, a relative filed two domestic petitions against him.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community ad impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth.”
What is Hisham Abugharbieh charged with?
In addition to murder, Abugharbieh is charged with domestic violence, tampering with evidence and unlawfully holding or removing a dead human body.
What led to Hisham Abugharbieh’s arrest? What do we know about the SWAT standoff?
Abugharbieh was interviewed by detectives April. 23, and after initially talking, he ended the interview and left. That was the same day authorities upgraded the case from missing to endangered.
Authorities were called to Abugharbieh’s family’s home for a domestic dispute about 9 a.m. April 24. Investigators were able to get relatives safely out of the home. Abugharbieh then barricaded himself inside and the SWAT team was called to assist.
After about 20 minutes, Abugharbieh emerged from the home with his hands raised wearing no shirt and a blue towel around his waist.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Missing USF student’s body found, roommate charged: What we know
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer and Hana Khalyleh, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
