USF Doctoral Student Found Dead; Second Still Missing After Arrest
USF doctoral student found dead; second missing after suspect's arrest.
Event / Security
USF Doctoral Students Missing Investigation
Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, were reported missing in April 2026. Limon's body was discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. His roommate Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses including domestic violence, false imprisonment, and tampering with evidence. Bristy remains missing.
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Coverage begins 25 Apr, 02:07 UTC
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What happened
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh arrested in connection with missing USF students
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, roommate of Zamil Limon, was arrested Friday and faces charges including domestic violence, simple battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death, and unlawfully holding or moving a dead body. The arrest followed a domestic violence call to the residence around 9 a.m. local time. The suspect initially barricaded himself in the home but exited peacefully after a SWAT team was deployed.
Nahida Bristy remains missing after roommate's arrest
Nahida Bristy, 27-year-old doctoral student in chemical engineering at the University of South Florida, remains missing as of Friday, April 24, 2026. She was last seen on April 16 at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on the USF Tampa campus. The investigation into her disappearance continues.
Body of USF doctoral student Zamil Limon found on Howard Frankland Bridge
The body of Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida studying geography, environmental science and policy, was found Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Florida. An autopsy was being performed to determine the cause of death.
Two USF doctoral students reported missing from Tampa campus and residence
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27-year-old doctoral students from Bangladesh, were reported missing after last being seen on April 16, 2026. Limon was last seen at 9 a.m. at his Tampa residence, while Bristy was last seen at 10 a.m. at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on the USF Tampa campus. Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy, and Bristy was studying chemical engineering. A family friend contacted authorities after being unable to reach either student.
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