Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced on Saturday that Hisham Abugharbieh, the roommate of a missing University of South Florida doctoral student, now faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon in connection to the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. Both victims, aged 27, were reported missing after last being seen in the Tampa area on April 16, 2026.
Authorities confirmed that Limon’s remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay on Friday morning, April 24, 2026. The search for Bristy continues as of Saturday morning, with crews focusing efforts around the bridge area. Abugharbieh, 26, was taken into custody on Friday following a domestic violence call at a residence near the USF campus in the Lake Forest Community neighborhood.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that evidence presented to the State Attorney’s Office led to the upgraded charges against Abugharbieh. In addition to the two counts of premeditated first-degree murder, he faces charges including tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, moving a dead body, failing to report a death, and battery.
Sheriff Chad Chronister addressed the community during a news conference, acknowledging the disturbing nature of the case while affirming the ongoing investigative efforts. “This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Chronister said. “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.”
According to family members speaking with CBS News, Bristy’s brother was informed by police that she is likely deceased based on the volume of blood discovered at Abugharbieh’s residence, which he shared with Limon. The family was told her body may never be found and that authorities believe she may have been dismembered.
Limon was pursuing a doctoral degree focused on the use of AI in environmental science and was scheduled to present his thesis this week. Bristy was studying chemical engineering at the University of South Florida. Both were doctoral candidates in their respective fields.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge anyone with information about the case to come forward as investigators work to piece together the events leading to the students’ disappearances, and deaths. Authorities have not released specific details about how the victims were killed or what led up to their deaths, citing the need to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation.
Abugharbieh remains in custody without bond as the legal process moves forward. The State Attorney’s Office will handle prosecution of the case, with no trial date currently scheduled.
This developing story highlights ongoing concerns about campus safety and domestic violence intervention protocols. The University of South Florida has not released an official statement regarding the incident involving its students.
For updates on this case, the public is encouraged to monitor official channels from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office for Hillsborough County, Florida.
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line or submit tips through their official website.
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