Physical evidence and digital searches tie suspect to murders
Physical evidence, digital searches, and autopsy findings built the murder case against the arrested suspect.
Event / Security
USF Doctoral Students Murder Case
Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh disappeared in April 2026. One body was found; the other is presumed dead. Their roommate has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
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2026-08-18 to 2026-11-15 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 25 Apr, 02:07 UTC
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What happened
Nahida Bristy was a doctoral student in chemical engineering from Bangladesh
Nahida Bristy was a 27-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. She earned a bachelor's degree in applied chemistry in Bangladesh and was accepted into USF's doctoral program with full funding. She was a skilled singer with professional musical training and was scheduled to perform in a Bengali cultural program in Orlando. Noakhali Science and Technology University, her former institution in Bangladesh, described her as a talented and promising student.
Abugharbieh initially charged with evidence tampering and failure to report death
Following his arrest on April 24, 2026, Hisham Abugharbieh was initially charged with unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery. Murder charges were added the following day after evidence was presented to the State Attorney's Office.
Hisham Abugharbieh charged with two counts of first-degree murder in deaths of USF students
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, a native-born U.S. citizen and roommate of doctoral student Zamil Limon, was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. Both victims were 27-year-old doctoral students at the University of South Florida. The charges were announced by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on April 25, 2026.
Hisham Abugharbieh arrested following domestic violence call in North Tampa
Hisham Abugharbieh was arrested on Friday, April 24, 2026, after law enforcement responded to a domestic violence report at a home in the Lake Forest neighborhood near the University of South Florida campus in North Tampa. Upon arrival, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside and refused to exit. A SWAT team with specialized equipment including a drone, robotic dog, and crisis negotiators was deployed. Abugharbieh eventually emerged and surrendered without further incident.
Zamil Limon was a doctoral student studying geography and environmental science
Zamil Limon was a 27-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. He had previously earned a degree in urban and rural planning from a university in Bangladesh and came to USF in 2024. He was scheduled to submit his doctoral thesis on April 17, 2026, the day after he disappeared. His research involved the use of artificial intelligence in environmental science.
Hisham Abugharbieh had prior arrests for domestic violence and battery
Hisham Abugharbieh had multiple prior arrests on record. In May and September 2023, he was charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, both classified as misdemeanors. He entered a diversion program for first-time offenders and completed it in 2024, after which the charges were discontinued. In 2023, two domestic violence petitions were filed against him by a family member. A judge granted an injunction in one case and denied the other. His brother alleged in a 2023 petition that Abugharbieh attacked him and their mother, and claimed Abugharbieh experienced mental health episodes.
Remains of missing USF doctoral student Zamil Limon found on Howard Frankland Bridge
The remains of Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida, were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning, April 24, 2026. Limon had been missing since April 16, 2026. An autopsy was performed to determine the cause and manner of death.
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy disappeared on April 16 from University of South Florida
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27-year-old doctoral students at the University of South Florida, disappeared on April 16, 2026. Limon was last seen at approximately 9 a.m. at his off-campus apartment in the Avalon Heights student housing complex where he lived with Hisham Abugharbieh. Bristy was last seen approximately one hour later at the Natural and Environmental Sciences building on campus. They were reported missing on April 17, 2026, by a family friend.
Abugharbieh attended USF but was not currently enrolled at time of incident
Hisham Abugharbieh had been a student at the University of South Florida, attending from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. He was not enrolled as a student at the time of his arrest in April 2026.
Nahida Bristy, USF doctoral student, remains missing and presumed dead
Nahida Bristy, a 27-year-old doctoral student in chemical engineering at the University of South Florida, went missing on April 16, 2026. She has not been found as of April 25, 2026. Authorities believe she is deceased based on evidence discovered at the residence shared by her friend Zamil Limon and Hisham Abugharbieh, including a large volume of blood. The search for her continues.
Domestic violence incident reported near USF campus leads to suspect barricade
Law enforcement officers responded to a report of domestic violence at a residence approximately one mile from the University of South Florida campus. Officers safely removed the suspect's family from the home, after which the suspect barricaded himself inside. A SWAT team responded and the suspect eventually came out peacefully after initially communicating with authorities.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih arrested on multiple charges in connection with student deaths
Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, a roommate of the missing students, was taken into custody and faces preliminary charges including domestic violence, battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death, and unlawfully moving a body. He barricaded himself inside a home before peacefully surrendering to a SWAT team.
Nahida Bristy, USF doctoral student, remains missing
Nahida Bristy, a University of South Florida doctoral student studying chemical engineering, remains missing. She was last seen on April 16 at a campus science building, approximately one hour after her partner Zamil Limon was last seen at their student apartment. Authorities are actively searching for her and appealing to the public for information.
Family friend reports two USF students missing after unable to make contact
A family friend contacted authorities after being unable to contact either Zamil Limon or Nahida Bristy. Both students, a couple from Bangladesh pursuing doctoral degrees at the University of South Florida, had disappeared from campus on April 16.
Body of USF doctoral student Zamil Limon found on Howard Frankland Bridge
The remains of Zamil Limon, a University of South Florida doctoral student studying geography, environmental science and policy, were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay on Friday morning. Limon was one of two missing students from Bangladesh who disappeared from campus on April 16.
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2 alternative perspectives
Grand jury indicts suspect; prosecutors pursue death penalty in USF case
Grand jury indicts suspect on two murder counts; prosecutors seek death penalty.
Suspect's digital searches and behavioral patterns paint premeditation picture
Suspect's premeditated digital searches, emotional detachment, and documented behavioral history indicate planning and capability.
Suspect searched body disposal methods before students vanished
Suspect's ChatGPT body disposal searches preceded victims' disappearance and bolster premeditation allegations.
Physical evidence links suspect to victims in forensic case analysis
Forensic evidence—autopsy results, purchase records, and physical evidence—directly links suspect to both student deaths.
Murder charges escalate against suspect in USF doctoral students case
First-degree murder charges filed against suspect in USF students case as investigation escalates.
Suspect arrested and charged in connection with USF students case
Suspect arrested and charged in USF doctoral students case after campus domestic violence incident.
Body of USF doctoral student discovered; second student still missing
USF doctoral student Zamil Limon found dead on bridge; fellow student Nahida Bristy still missing.