TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Hisham Abugharbieh, a 26-year-old former doctoral student at the University of South Florida (USF), has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of fellow students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. The announcement came after Limon's remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge, while Bristy remains unaccounted for. The charges were confirmed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office on Saturday.
Abugharbieh, previously taken into custody at his family’s home, faced initial charges including unlawfully moving a dead body and failure to report a death, as well as other charges related to domestic violence. A tense standoff ensued when he barricaded himself inside his home, prompting a SWAT team response.
Both Limon and Bristy, both 27, had plans to marry, according to family members. They went missing on April 16; Limon was last seen at their shared off-campus apartment, while Bristy was last spotted an hour later on the USF campus.
An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of Limon’s death. Meanwhile, Abugharbieh's history includes several prior arrests, highlighting a pattern of troubling behavior, including two domestic violence petitions filed in 2023.
The search for Bristy continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
