+1
By Jenna Sundel, Joshua Rhett Miller, Gabe Whisnant, and Mandy Taheri
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The remains of missing University of South Florida doctoral student Zamil Limon were found Friday on the Howard Frankland Bridge, and his roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, was taken into custody, authorities said.
The discovery marks a major development in a disappearance that has gripped the USF community, even as Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, remains missing.
Investigators said search efforts are continuing for Bristy, with law enforcement dive teams now working the waters near the Tampa bridge and police urging anyone with information to come forward.
Read More on News
Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said Abugharbieh, 26, faces preliminary charges including unlawfully moving a dead body, tampering with evidence and false imprisonment, while an autopsy is underway to determine how Limon died and officials stressed there are no other suspects at this time.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth."
...
Hisham Abugharbieh's Background and Prior Arrests
Abugharbieh previously attended the University of South Florida but was not enrolled at the time of his arrest, university officials said. School records show he attended USF from the spring 2021 semester through spring 2023 and pursued a bachelor’s degree in management, a university spokeswoman said.
Abugharbieh has several prior arrests, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Court records show he was charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023 and with battery earlier that May, with both cases classified as misdemeanors. The records indicate he may have participated in a diversion program.
Hillsborough County court records also show that a family member filed two domestic violence petitions against Abugharbieh in 2023. A judge granted an injunction in one case and denied the other. Court records also list traffic violations involving Abugharbieh.
...
Abugharbieh Surrenders After Barricade
Officers encountered Abugharbieh after responding to a domestic violence call at his family’s home just north of the University of South Florida campus, authorities said. Investigators said officers were able to remove family members to safety before Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside the house and refused to come out. A SWAT team was called to the scene, and Abugharbieh later surrendered peacefully, officials said.
Investigators interviewed Abugharbieh on Thursday, Maurer said, but the interview ended prematurely. Maurer said Abugharbieh began speaking with detectives again after his arrest Friday morning.
Divers Search for Nahida Bristy
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said its marine and dive teams are searching near the Howard Frankland Bridge for Bristy.
The sheriff's office also thanked Florida Highway Patrol and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office for their assistance as the investigation continues.
Who Are Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy?
Limon and Bristy, both 27, were last seen on April 16 in the Tampa area, the university's police department said. The two were a couple from Bangladesh. Zubaer Ahmed, Limon’s younger brother, told WTVT in Tampa that Limon and Bristy were discussing a potential marriage but were focusing on finishing their degrees first.
Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy. Bristy is studying chemical engineering.
Tanvir Shehzad, a close friend and research collaborator of Limon, told Newsweek on Saturday, "This is a deeply painful and heartbreaking moment for all of us. We sincerely request a proper investigation and justice for our brother and sister. Their lives mattered, and they deserve justice."
Shehzad added: "He worked tirelessly for Florida and contributed to the people of this state, yet in return, Florida sent him back as a lifeless body in such a cruel and heartbreaking way."
University of South Florida Police Department Chief Chris Daniel said in a statement: “On behalf of USF President Moez Limayem and the members of our department, I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sheriff Chad Chronister, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and all of our Tampa Bay law enforcement partners for their continued collaboration, shared resources, and unwavering commitment throughout this missing persons investigation."
The University of South Florida Police Department said on Tuesday that Limon was last seen at his Tampa residence at about 9 a.m. on April 16. Police also said on Tuesday that Bristy was last seen at about 10 a.m. on April 16 at a campus science building. A family friend notified the university police department on April 17 after being unable to contact them, police said.
"Our investigation has determined that the last known location of both missing persons was off campus and outside of USF jurisdiction. Accordingly, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is now the primary investigative agency. We will continue to support the investigation in a secondary role and coordinate closely with HCSO," University of South Florida Division of Public Safety public information officer Larry McKinnon told Newsweek.
...
McKinnon confirmed that ICE indicated that Limon and Bristy were not in their custody.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office previously said on Facebook that it is "actively working" to locate the missing students.
"Detectives continue to follow leads in both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties," the sheriff's office said.
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said its forensic unit assisted in a search related to the missing students at Sand Key Park in Clearwater, according to 10 Tampa Bay News. A dive team from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was seen conducting a search at the beach on Thursday, according to the outlet.
Ahmed told CBS News that the disappearance is "very unusual and suspicious."
"Both of them are serious and punctual," he told the outlet.
Ahmed said Limon told his family not to contact him last week because he was preparing for his thesis, CBS News reported. Limon had also indicated he would be working on his thesis on April 16 on an Outlook calendar shared with his research group, the report said. Limon's thesis involves using generative AI to study Florida’s shrinking wetlands.
Ahmed told WTVT that the family last spoke with him three days before he disappeared.
Md Omer Hossain, a friend of the students, told CBS News that it is "not common" for them not to respond. He said he saw Bristy on April 16 in a science building before she disappeared.
"She had a class. She came out from the class and had to print something, and I printed to her, and she directly went to the class, and I went to my lab, so it looked normal," Hossain said.
Zahid Dranto, Bristy's brother, told CBS News that the family is "devastated."
"My mother is still crying in the other room, and my father had an operation recently, so my home is just broken," Dranto said.
This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
Do you have a story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have any questions about this story? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com.
Correction 4/24/26, 4:29 p.m. ET: This article corrected a quote that was wrongfully attributed to Chad Chronister when it was Joseph Maurer who said it. The spelling of Abugharbieh's last name was also updated.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines