The prosecution released a timeline and new evidence in the case of University of South Florida doctoral student Zamil Limon, whose body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge and whose death was ruled a homicide from multiple stab wounds. His roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, has been charged in the deaths of Limon and fellow student Nahida Bristy, who remains missing and is believed to have been disposed of similarly. Investigators cite cellphone location data, blood in the shared apartment and a CVS receipt dated April 16; remains recovered near the bridge have not yet been identified. Prosecutors have asked a judge to keep Abugharbieh detained ahead of a pretrial hearing.
Roommate Charged After USF Doctoral Student Found Stabbed on Howard Frankland Bridge; Friend Missing
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy attended the University of South Florida. - Family of Zamil Limon/Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Prosecutors on Saturday disclosed new evidence in the investigation into the death of University of South Florida doctoral student Zamil Limon, whose body was discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Court filings describe Limon's death as a homicide from "multiple sharp force injuries." His friend and fellow doctoral student, Nahida Bristy, remains missing.
Allegations and Evidence
Authorities have charged Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, with the killings of both 27-year-old students; Bristy has not been found, and prosecutors say she is believed to have been disposed of in a similar manner to Limon. A pretrial detention motion filed in Hillsborough County Court asks that Abugharbieh remain jailed pending trial, calling the offenses "brutal and violent" and arguing that no conditions of release would protect the community from harm.
The motion and related court documents summarize physical and forensic evidence: Limon’s body showed multiple stab wounds, including a deep wound to his lower back that penetrated his liver, according to the medical examiner. Investigators reported a large amount of blood in the apartment Limon and Bristy shared with Abugharbieh, and they recovered a CVS receipt dated April 16 listing trash bags, Lysol wipes and Febreze.
Timeline and Forensics
Both students, who were from Bangladesh, were last seen on and around the USF campus on April 16 and were reported missing the following day. Cellphone location data for Limon and surveillance footage place Abugharbieh’s car in Clearwater Beach the night of April 16—near where Limon’s cellphone later pinged. Initially, Abugharbieh told detectives he had not seen the couple that day; he later provided a different account after being confronted about the cellphone location data.
This still from a video released by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office shows the moment the suspect was arrested in connection to the disappearance of the two students. - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
Investigators also noted Abugharbieh had his left pinky finger wrapped in a bandage during interviews; he later told detectives he cut the finger while cutting onions. Late Sunday, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced that human remains had been recovered from waterways south of the Howard Frankland Bridge; those remains have not yet been positively identified.
Arrest, Charges and Next Steps
Abugharbieh was arrested Friday morning after law enforcement responded to his home for an unrelated domestic violence call, the sheriff’s office said. He made an initial court appearance Saturday and will remain in custody until a pretrial detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, where prosecutors plan to argue he is a danger to the community.
He faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, plus alleged offenses including unlawfully moving a dead body; failure to report a death with intent to conceal; tampering with physical evidence; false imprisonment; and battery. The Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office has been appointed to represent him.
"This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement.
The investigation remains active. Officials stress that allegations in the filings are accusations and that charges must be proven in court.
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