The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has officially charged Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. This development follows the tragic disappearance of two University of South Florida graduate students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
Limon, 27, was discovered deceased on Friday, prompting an immediate escalation in the legal charges against his roommate. Abugharbeih had previously faced lesser charges, including failure to report a death and unlawful movement of a body, before the murder counts were filed.
Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the couple’s disappearance is now being treated as a double homicide. While Limon’s remains were located near the Howard Frankland Bridge, search efforts for Bristy continue in the waters of Old Tampa Bay.
The victims, both 27 and originally from Bangladesh, were last seen on April 16. Friends raised the alarm after being unable to reach the couple, noting that both of their mobile phones had been deactivated simultaneously.
Limon was pursuing a doctoral degree in geography and environmental science, while Bristy was dedicated to her studies in chemical engineering. The couple had reportedly been discussing marriage prior to the incident, making the loss particularly devastating for their families and the university community.
The arrest of Abugharbeih occurred after a tense standoff at a residence in the Lake Forest neighborhood. SWAT teams surrounded the property, which is located just over a mile from the USF campus, before successfully taking the suspect into custody.
Sheriff Chad Chronister described the case as deeply disturbing and emphasized the commitment of his department to uncovering the full truth. Detectives are currently working to piece together the timeline of events that led to this violent outcome.
The university community remains in shock as they mourn the loss of two promising scholars. Officials have pledged to continue pursuing every available lead to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their grieving loved ones.