Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder after the body of USF doctoral student Zamil Limon was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge. His fellow doctoral student, Nahida Bristy, remains missing; investigators say blood evidence at the bridge and the shared apartment suggests she may be deceased. Abugharbieh faces additional charges and will remain jailed without bond pending a pretrial detention hearing on April 28. USF officials say the incident occurred off campus and there is no ongoing threat to the university community.
Roommate Charged in Deaths of Two USF Doctoral Students After Body Found on Tampa Bridge
Zamil Limon, left, and Nahida Bristy were reported missing last week. Authorities say Limon's remains were found Friday. - Family of Zamil Limon/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Authorities have charged a University of South Florida doctoral student’s roommate with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder after the body of one student was discovered on a Tampa Bay bridge and his fellow student went missing.
An undated photo posted on Facebook by Nahida Bristy on January 9, 2026 was shared in a condolence message posted by the Noakhali Science and Technology University in Bangladesh, Bristy earned her undergraduate degree from the school. - Facebook/Nahida Bristy
What Happened
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of 27-year-old Bangladeshi doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said. Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge; Bristy remains missing and officials say blood evidence suggests she may be deceased.
This still from a video released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows the moment Hisham Abugharbieh was arrested at his family's home. - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Evidence, Arrest and Charges
Investigators said blood was found at the bridge where Limon’s body was discovered and in the apartment the two students shared. Authorities linked Abugharbieh to the scene after multiple interviews and other investigative work. In addition to the murder counts, he faces charges including unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death with intent to conceal, tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment and battery.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested Friday and is facing charges for killing his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limon's friend Nahida Bristy. - Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Deputies responded to a domestic disturbance at Abugharbieh’s residence, leading to his arrest. Officials said he barricaded himself inside a home, prompting a SWAT and crisis-negotiator response; video from the scene shows an armored vehicle in the yard and the suspect exiting with his hands raised. He appeared in court wearing a safety smock and shackles and is being held without bond pending a pretrial detention hearing on April 28.
Zamil Limon had plans to travel back to Bangladesh this summer to see his family, his brother said. - Family of Zamil Limon
Investigation And University Response
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office marine and dive teams searched waters near the Howard Frankland Bridge as detectives continued to search for Bristy. A medical examiner is still determining Limon’s cause of death and may release autopsy results soon.
USF President Moez Limayem said investigators believe the incidents occurred off campus, that the suspect acted alone, and that there is no ongoing threat to the university community. University officials are coordinating with the Bangladeshi Embassy and Consulate General and have been offering support to the students’ families.
Families And Community
Friends and relatives in Florida and Bangladesh have expressed shock and grief. Limon’s brother asked the public to keep the family in their prayers. Colleagues and classmates described Limon and Bristy as promising students: Limon had been working on a PhD thesis using generative AI to monitor shrinking wetlands in South Florida and hoped to return to Bangladesh as a university professor.
Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office as investigators continue their work.
Note: The case is active and evolving; official charges may be updated after the state attorney’s review.
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