Hisham Abugharbieh, a 26-year-old, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. This is in connection to the deaths of University of South Florida (USF) doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
Abugharbieh and Limon shared an apartment in Tampa, Florida. Limon's body was discovered on Friday beneath the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, leading to the suspect's arrest on the same day.
Bristy remains missing, but authorities suspect her death after discovering a substantial amount of blood in the apartment shared by Abugharbieh and Limon.
The two students, originally from Bangladesh, were last seen on the morning of April 16th: Limon around 9:00 a.m. at his residence on Avalon Heights Boulevard, and Bristy near 10:00 a.m. at the Natural and Environmental Sciences building on the USF campus.
Details of the Disappearance
Their disappearance was publicly reported on April 21st by the university police department after family members raised alarms about missed classes, unanswered calls, and inactivity on social media and bank accounts.
Abugharbieh was apprehended following a standoff at his family's home in the Lake Forest neighborhood, close to the USF campus. A SWAT team was deployed to the scene, and the suspect surrendered peacefully.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
At the time of his initial arrest, Abugharbieh was already facing charges including domestic violence, unlawful detention, and evidence tampering. On Saturday, after presenting evidence to the State Attorney's Office, he was formally charged with the two counts of first-degree murder.
"Evidence was presented to the State Attorney's Office, resulting in additional charges against Abugharbieh," stated the Sheriff's Office in a release, refraining from further comment.
Background and Family Reactions
The suspect had been enrolled at USF from Spring 2021 to Spring 2023, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Management, but was not a student at the time of the incident.
Limon was working on a Ph.D. in geography, environmental science, and policy, while Bristy was studying chemical engineering. Bristy's older brother, Zahaid Hasan Pranto, 29, told NBC News that his sister and Limon had previously been in a romantic relationship but were not together at the time of their disappearance.
The families of both students in Bangladesh were informed on Friday night that authorities presume Bristy's death. Her body has yet to be discovered.
In Florida, premeditated first-degree murder is a capital offense, potentially resulting in the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office urges anyone with information regarding Bristy's whereabouts to contact them at 813-247-8200.
FAQs on the University of South Florida Murder Case
Who is Hisham Abugharbieh?
Hisham Abugharbieh is a 26-year-old charged with the first-degree murder of two University of South Florida doctoral students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
What led to the arrest of Abugharbieh?
Abugharbieh was arrested following the discovery of Limon's body and a significant amount of blood in the shared apartment, along with a standoff at his family's home.
What charges is Abugharbieh facing?
He faces charges of first-degree murder, domestic violence, unlawful detention, and evidence tampering, among others.
What is the status of Nahida Bristy?
Nahida Bristy is still missing, but authorities presume she is deceased due to the evidence found at the crime scene.