Suspect in Deaths of Two USF Doctoral Students Held Without Bond in Tampa

Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, 27, and Nahida Bristy, 27, both doctoral students at the University of South Florida. Authorities reported that Limon's body was discovered Friday, and human remains believed to be Bristy were found Sunday during a search near the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay. The remains found Sunday have not yet been officially identified.

According to the University of South Florida Police Department, Limon and Bristy were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16. Court records show that Hisham Abugharbieh had been estranged from his family since 2023, and family members had previously sought protective orders against him. One order was granted in 2023, while another request in 2025 was denied after related criminal charges were not pursued.

Hisham Abugharbieh was taken into custody Friday by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies and is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. The Hillsborough County Public Defender's Office, which is representing Abugharbieh, declined to comment on the case, citing ethical obligations. The State Attorney's Office stated in a public post that Abugharbieh "remains a danger to our community and should be held without bond until trial."