USF doctoral student found dead; roommate arrested for murder

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26 years old, was indicted for two qualified homicides with the use of a firearm. The crimes involve the death of Zamil Limon, aged 27, and the disappearance of Nahida Bristy, also aged 27, both doctoral students at Universidade of Sul of Flórida. The announcement was made by Gabinete of Xerife of Condado of Hillsborough on Saturday. The remains of Limon were found on the Howard Frankland bridge at Tampa on Friday morning, ending a week of intense searches for the two researchers missing since April 16.

Abugharbieh appeared in court Saturday morning and remains held without bail. Sua next custody hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28th at 9am. Inicialmente, he was accused of illegally keeping or transporting a corpse, failing to report the death to the coroner or authorities, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and assault. The more serious charges of aggravated murder were added following the discovery of Limon’s body and subsequent investigations.

Descoberta body and police response

Zamil Limon’s body was located on the Howard Frankland bridge at Tampa on the morning of Friday, April 19th. Investigadores received a 911 call around 9 a.m. reporting domestic violence at a residence where Abugharbieh had barricaded himself. Joseph Maurer, spokesperson for Gabinete of Xerife of Condado of Hillsborough, reported that the suspect had been questioned by police during the initial disappearance investigation. Após a brief stalemate, Abugharbieh surrendered. Imagens drone captured the moment he left the house wearing only a towel wrapped around his waist.

Gabinete divers and Marines from Xerife continue search operations for Nahida Bristy near the Howard Frankland bridge. The sheriff reported that he is still actively searching for Bristy, reinforcing authorities’ commitment to locating the missing student. The cause of Limon’s death is still being determined by medical examiners.

Histórico criminal suspect

Documentos Courts reveal that Abugharbieh has a criminal record prior to the students’ disappearance. In 2023, he was charged with domestic violence and assault, both misdemeanors, as well as aggravated robbery, which is a felony. Last year, he was again accused of domestic violence. Todos these previous cases have since been dismissed according to court records.

The suspect’s history of involvement in violence raises questions about failures in community protection systems. Autoridades of Universidade of Sul of Flórida confirmed that Abugharbieh was not a student or employee of the institution, which may have limited monitoring opportunities or restricted access to the campus.

Cronologia’s disappearance

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy disappeared on April 16th in different locations in Tampa’s region. Limon was last seen at his residence around 9 am. Ele has been attending Universidade Sul Flórida since Fall 2024, pursuing a doctorate in geography, environmental science, and public policy. Bristy was last seen on campus, in Ciências Naturais and Ambientais’s building, at around 10 am on the same day. Ela is registered as a chemical engineering doctoral student since Fall 2025.

A mutual acquaintance reported the disappearance of the two researchers, alerting the campus police. Limon and Bristy were friends and academic colleagues, which may have been a factor in the crime. Authorities received new information on Thursday that justified changing their status from missing to endangered, indicating that they were at risk of physical harm or death.

University Community Resposta

Universidade’s Sul’s Flórida’s president, Moez Limayem, issued a statement on Friday expressing deep sadness over Limon’s death and praying for Bristy’s “safe return.” Ele stated that there is no ongoing threat to the safety of the university community, suggesting that the incident was isolated to the specific roommate.

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The university stepped up security measures following the incident. USF’s Departamento of Polícia distributed flyers in the region seeking information about Nahida Bristy. Agentes traveled through the local community trying to locate clues that would lead to the missing student and keep the case in the spotlight.

Detalhes from the investigation

Departamento of Polícia of Universidade of Sul of Flórida is coordinating efforts with Gabinete of Xerife of Condado of Hillsborough. Investigations include analysis of surveillance cameras, witness statements and forensic evidence. Investigators are working to determine the exact cause of Limon’s death and locate Bristy.

Search operations involve significant resources, including specialized marine teams and professional divers. The Howard Frankland bridge, where Limon’s body was found, is an important structure connecting Tampa to São Petersburgo, suggesting that the crime may have occurred in a place with wider circulation.

Próximos legal steps and investigation

Abugharbieh’s next hearing is scheduled for April 28, when his detention will be reviewed. Promotores will face the task of presenting sufficient evidence to support charges of aggravated murder. The defense will likely argue for the defendant’s rights under Flórida laws.

Abugharbieh’s criminal record can be used to argue against granting bail or to increase the sentence in case of conviction. Authorities continue to investigate whether there are connections between the crimes and whether Bristy’s disappearance is related to Limon’s murder.

Informações for the public

Qualquer person with information regarding Nahida Bristy’s disappearance or the crimes is asked to contact Departamento of Polícia of Universidade of Sul of Flórida at 813-974-2628. Authorities emphasize that anonymous information is also welcome and can be provided through crime tip lines.

The Tampa community remains on high alert:

• Search Equipes continues operations near bridge Howard Frankland
• Autoridades ask the public to report sightings or relevant information
• Medidas security measures have been reinforced on university campuses in the region
• Agências cooperate in joint investigation of the case
• Familiares of students receive support from victims of crime