Authorities Investigate Cell Phone and Domestic Violence After Missing Student Found

Sat Apr 25 2026 21:24:20 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The search for a missing Bangladeshi doctoral student, whose body was found in Tampa Bay, reveals troubling details about domestic violence and criminal history.

The body of Zamil Limon, a doctoral student from Bangladesh, was discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge while his girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, remains missing. Limon's roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, has been arrested on multiple charges, including unlawfully moving a deceased body. The investigation reveals alarming details about domestic violence, as Abugharbeih has past arrests and domestic violence petitions. Authorities continue to seek information regarding Bristy's whereabouts.

Authorities have discovered the body of Zamil Limon, a Bangladeshi doctoral student who went missing along with his girlfriend from the University of South Florida (USF). The remains were found Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay. His girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, is still missing.

Limon's roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, has been taken into custody. He faces preliminary charges including unlawfully moving a deceased body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery. He was expected to appear in court on Saturday morning.

Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer stated, 'We are still actively searching for Nahida,' urging the public to provide any information that could assist in the search. Authorities have deployed dive teams to search the bay near the bridge as efforts continue to locate her.

Concern for Limon and Bristy arose when a family friend contacted USF police after being unable to reach them. The couple, both 27 years old, were reportedly considering marriage.

Abugharbeih was identified in a domestic violence call related to an incident at his family home near the USF campus, where officers initially intervened. He allegedly barricaded himself in the home before surrendering to a SWAT team while dressed only in a towel.

Law enforcement reported disturbing details about Abugharbeih's past, which includes several arrests for battery and prior domestic violence petitions. While he attended USF from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023, he is currently not enrolled.

An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of Limon's death, with results expected soon. Investigators are focused solely on Abugharbeih, and no additional suspects have been identified at this time.