Missing USF Students: Suspect Charged with Two Counts of First-Degree Murder

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon in the deaths of University of South Florida doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges were announced on April 25, 2026, following the discovery of Limon’s remains on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Florida, on April 24, 2026. Bristy remains missing as of the announcement.

Abugharbieh, who was Limon’s roommate, was arrested on Friday, April 24, 2026, after authorities located Limon’s body. He had previously been interviewed by police during the investigation into the students’ disappearances, which began after they were last seen on the morning of April 16, 2026.

Upon his arrest, Abugharbieh was already facing charges including unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death with intent to conceal, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery. The murder charges carry a potential sentence of death or life in prison without parole.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that evidence was presented to the State Attorney’s Office, resulting in the additional murder charges. Authorities declined to provide further details on the investigation findings.

Abugharbieh made his first court appearance on Saturday morning, April 25, 2026, and is being held without bond until his next detention hearing scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Limon and Bristy, both 27 years old, were reported missing by the University of South Florida Police Department on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, after they were last seen on April 16. Investigators have been actively searching for Bristy since her disappearance.

During the investigation, police received a 911 call for a domestic violence disturbance around 9 a.m. On Friday, April 24, 2026, at a residence where Abugharbieh had barricaded himself. Following a brief standoff, he surrendered and was seen exiting the home with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

Abugharbieh was enrolled at the University of South Florida from spring 2021 through spring 2023, pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in management, but was not currently enrolled at the time of the incident, according to university officials.

Sheriff Chad Chronister described the case as deeply disturbing, stating that while the discovery of Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, detectives continue to work tirelessly to uncover the truth and pursue every lead to hold those responsible fully accountable.