Roommate of USF student found dead charged with 2 murders
Roommate of USF student found dead charged with 2 murders
Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAYSat, April 25, 2026 at 12:39 PM UTC
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The roommate of a University of South Florida doctoral student who was found dead after being missing for over a week is now facing murder charges. Authorities are still searching for a second missing student.
Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy, both 27, had been missing since April 16, when they were last seen in the Tampa area. Limon's remains were found April 24 and his roommate, Hisham Abugarbieh, was arrested on multiple charges, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
Abugarbieh, 26, is now being charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon for the deaths of Limon and Bristy, who is still missing, the sheriff's office announced the morning of April 25. He was previously facing charges of unlawfully holding or moving a dead body, failure to report a death with intent to conceal, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery.
The sheriff's office said evidence was presented to the State Attorney's Office, but authorities would not be providing more information on the findings of the investigation.
It was not immediately clear if Abugarbieh had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. “While the discovery of Zamil Limon’s remains is heartbreaking, I want the public to know that our detectives worked and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth. We will continue to follow every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to hold those responsible fully accountable."
Missing USF student's remains found
Limon's remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said at a news conference on April 24.
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Earlier in the day, law enforcement responded to an unrelated domestic incident related to Abugarbieh and upon arrival, Abugarbieh "barricaded himself inside the residence" and refused to comply with commands to exit, the sheriff's office said. A SWAT team and other specialized units arrived and he was later taken into custody.
Abugarbieh had already been named a person of interest because of his connection to Limon and Bristy, the sheriff's office said.
"At this time, the search for Bristy continues," the sheriff's office said, adding that anyone with information about her disappearance is urged to contact authorities.
The two were reported missing by a family friend who hadn't heard from them on April 17.
Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy, the Sarasota Herald Tribune, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. Bristy is studying chemical engineering. Authorities did not say what the relationship is between the two students.
Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Christopher Cann
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Roommate of USF student found dead charged with 2 murders
Source: “AOL Breaking”
