Today is the 25th of April, 2026, and a tragic story is unfolding from the University of South Florida (USF) that has shocked the local community and beyond. Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student, was found dead on the Howard Franklin Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning. His remains were discovered following a disturbing chain of events that began earlier this month.
Limon, who was studying the use of artificial intelligence in environmental science, and his classmate Nahida Bristy, also 27, were last seen on April 16. Limon was reportedly last spotted at his residence in Tampa around 9:00 a.m., while Bristy was last seen at the USF Tampa campus, specifically at the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building, around 10:00 a.m. They were reported missing by a mutual acquaintance. As the investigation into their disappearance unfolded, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office raised their status to “endangered,” intensifying the search for Bristy.
Investigation and Arrest
The situation took a dark turn when Hisham Abugharbieh, Limon’s 26-year-old roommate, was arrested on Friday. He faces serious charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, related to both Limon and Bristy, who remains missing. Abugharbieh was initially taken into custody after police responded to a 911 call about a domestic violence disturbance at his residence. Following a brief standoff, he surrendered peacefully to authorities.
As investigations progressed, Abugharbieh was charged with various offenses, including unlawful handling of a dead body, failure to report a death, and tampering with evidence. He made his first court appearance on Saturday and is currently being held without bond, awaiting his next hearing on April 28 at 9:00 a.m. It’s worth noting that Abugharbieh is not a current student or employee at USF, and he has a history of domestic violence and battery charges.
Community Response and Ongoing Search
The community’s concern is palpable, especially with USF President Moez Limayem assuring that there is no ongoing threat to the university. Meanwhile, dive teams continue to search the waters near the Howard Franklin Bridge for Bristy, as investigators work tirelessly to piece together the circumstances surrounding these tragic events. Limon’s cause of death remains under investigation, pending autopsy results.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Bristy’s brother, Zahid Pranto, expressed the family’s distress, noting that she maintained regular contact with them, and her sudden disappearance has left them deeply affected.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to Bristy’s whereabouts to contact the USF Police Department at 813-974-2628. As the investigation continues, our thoughts remain with the families and friends of both students during this incredibly difficult time.
For more detailed information, you can visit CBS News and ABC News.