Police identify the body of 1 missing USF student, second still missing as roommate is charged
The body of a Bangladeshi doctoral student from the University of South Florida who disappeared with his girlfriend was found on a bridge over Tampa Bay and his roommate was taken into custody, law enforcement officials said Friday.
Zamil Limon’s remains were found Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge, but Nahida Bristy remains missing, Hillsborough County Deputy Chief Joseph Maurer said.
Limon’s roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, was taken into custody at his family’s home nearby on preliminary charges of unlawful carrying of a corpse, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery. He was expected to make his first court appearance Saturday morning.
“We are still actively searching for Nahida,” Maurer said, urging the public to share any helpful information. The sheriff’s office said law enforcement dive teams searched the bay near the bridge as part of that effort.
Officers encountered Abugharbeih while responding to a report of domestic violence at his family’s home just north of campus and was able to carry his relatives to safety. But he then barricaded himself inside and refused to come out. A SWAT team, along with a drone, a robot and crisis negotiators intervened before Abugarbeih walked out with his hands up, apparently wearing nothing but a blue towel.
“This is an extremely disturbing incident that has shaken our community and impacted many who have been waiting in hope for a safe resolution,” said 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 considering marriage. They disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon was last seen at her home in the off-campus apartment complex where she lived with Abugharbeih. Bristy, who lives on campus, was last seen an hour later in the campus science building.
USF police said they contacted authorities last Friday after a family friend was unable to contact either of them.
Investigators met with Abugharbeih, a U.S. citizen, on Thursday, but after the initial conversation, Abugharbeih chose to end the conversation, Maurer said. He said he spoke to detectives again after Abugharbeih was arrested Friday morning.
Maurer said there are no other suspects in the investigation at this time.
He said an autopsy was performed on the remains to determine the manner and cause of Limon’s death, and the results were expected on Saturday morning.
Abugharbeih was a USF student but was not currently enrolled. A university spokesperson said university records show he attended school from Spring 2021 to Spring 2023 and was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Management.
Limon was studying geography, environmental science and policy, and Bristy was studying chemical engineering.
The sheriff’s office said Abugharbeih had been arrested several times before. He was charged with assault and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023 and battery in May; both were classified as misdemeanors in court records. Court records show Abugharbeih entered a diversionary program for first-time offenders charged with misdemeanors. He completed the program in 2024 and the charges were terminated. 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.
____ This story has been updated to correct the fact that it was Hillsborough County Deputy Chief Joseph Maurer, not the sheriff, who spoke Friday morning.
___ Lauer reported from Philadelphia and Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Associated Press reporter Michael Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed.
