Tragedy Unfolds as USF Doctoral Student Found Dead and Search Continues for Partner

The University of South Florida community is grappling with profound grief following the discovery of Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student whose body was recovered from the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on April 24, 2026. Limon, a dedicated scholar from Bangladesh specializing in geography and environmental science, had been reported missing since April 16.

The situation remains critical as authorities continue an intensive search for his partner, Nahida S. Bristy. Bristy, also 27, is a doctoral student in chemical engineering who was last seen on the USF campus shortly after Limon was last spotted at their shared residence.

Family members have expressed deep concern, noting that the couple maintained consistent communication with relatives abroad and would not have vanished voluntarily. The pair reportedly shared a close romantic bond and were actively planning their future together before this sudden disappearance.

In a significant development, law enforcement officials arrested Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, who lived with the couple. Abugharbieh currently faces a series of grave charges, including domestic violence, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and the unlawful handling of a human body.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the discovery of Limon’s remains followed a tense domestic violence standoff at the residence shared by the three students. Investigators are currently working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident, with an autopsy pending to establish the official cause of death.

This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local Bangladeshi student population and the broader USF campus. University officials have expressed their condolences while cooperating fully with the ongoing criminal investigation.

As the search for Bristy continues, investigators are meticulously piecing together the timeline of events that occurred inside the shared home. The community remains in a state of uncertainty, waiting for answers as the legal process against the suspect moves forward.

Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in the search for the missing student. The focus remains on securing justice for the victims and providing closure to their grieving families during this incredibly difficult time.