Roommate arrested after body of University of South Florida doctoral student discovered | Florida
The body of one of two missing Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida (USF) has been found on a bridge over Tampa Bay and her roommate has been taken into custody, law enforcement officials said on Friday.
Zamil Limon’s remains were found Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, but Nahida Bristy remains missing, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Joseph Maurer said.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, who lived in an off-campus apartment in Limon, was taken into custody at his parents’ home nearby on preliminary charges of unlawfully carrying a corpse, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery.
“We are still actively searching for Nahida,” Maurer said, urging the public to share any helpful information.
Officers encountered Abugharbeih while responding to a report of domestic violence at his family’s home just north of campus and was able to get his relatives to safety. He then barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A special tactics team, along with a drone, a robot and crisis negotiators intervened before Abugarbeih emerged with his hands up, apparently wearing nothing but a blue towel.
“This is an extremely disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who have been waiting in hope for a safe resolution,” said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked tirelessly and tirelessly to uncover the truth.”
A relative said Limon and Bristy (both 27) were a couple and were considering getting married. They disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon, who is studying geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home in the apartment complex where he lived with Abugharbeih. Bristy, who studies chemical engineering and lives on campus, was last seen an hour later in the campus science building.
USF police said they contacted authorities on April 17 after a family friend was unable to contact either of them.
Investigators interviewed U.S. citizen Abugharbeih on Thursday, but Abugharbeih ended the interview, Maurer said. Maurer said Abugharbeih spoke to detectives again after his arrest Friday morning.
Maurer said there are no other suspects in the investigation at this time.
He said an autopsy had been performed on Limon’s remains to determine the manner and cause of death, and the results would “perhaps” be announced on Saturday morning.
Abugharbeih was a USF student but was not currently enrolled. A USF spokeswoman said university records show he attended school from spring 2021 to spring 2023 and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management.
The sheriff’s office said Abugharbeih had been arrested several times before. He was charged with battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023 and battery in May; both were classified as misdemeanors in court records. Court records indicate Abugharbeih may have engaged in a diversionary program. A phone call to his attorney in this case was not immediately returned.
Hillsborough County court records also show two domestic violence petitions filed by a family member in 2023. A judge granted a preliminary injunction in one of the cases while denying the other petition. He was also charged with traffic violations.
“We will continue to pursue every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable,” Chronister said in a statement from the sheriff’s office.
“Our thoughts are with the families of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy during this time.”
