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Authorities investigating the disappearance of two University of South Florida graduate students have made a breakthrough after confirming that a student was found dead and a suspect is now in custody. Police recovered the body of 27-year-old Zamil Limon from the Howard Frankland Bridge on Friday as the search continues for Nahida Bristy, who remains missing.
Investigators arrested Hisham Abugharbieh, Limon’s roommate, after he responded to a domestic violence call related to the case. Officials say the investigation is ongoing and many important questions remain unanswered.
Who is Hisham Abugharbieh?
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has emerged as a central figure in the investigation into the disappearance of the two graduate students. Authorities identified him as Zamil Limon’s roommate.
Officers responded to a domestic violence call Friday morning at a home in the Lake Forest neighborhood near the university. Officers got family members safely out of the home, but Abugharbieh initially refused to come out, forcing officers to call a SWAT team. He later surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody.
Police have filed several charges against him, including:
- Domestic violence battery
- False imprisonment
- Tampering with evidence
- Failure to report a death
- Unlawful movement of a human body
Investigators believe he acted alone, but the motive remains unclear.
Background on the case of the missing USF students
The case began when Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27-year-old graduate students, disappeared on April 16.
Limon, who studied geography, environmental science and politics, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. About an hour later, Bristy — who earned his doctorate in chemical engineering — was last seen in the NES building on the USF campus.
Concern grew after a family friend reported on April 17 that he had been unable to make contact with the two. Police later classified the couple as “at risk” after several days of no contact.
Officers also discovered that both students’ phones were turned off, which investigators described as highly unusual behavior.
Zamil Limon was found dead on the Howard Frankland Bridge
The investigation took a tragic turn when authorities discovered Limon’s body on the Howard Frankland Bridge Friday morning. Police temporarily closed lanes on the bridge while they conducted forensic work related to the case.
Officials confirmed that the discovery is directly related to the investigation into the missing students. However, they have not yet provided any information about the exact cause of death. An autopsy is expected to reveal how he died.
Where is Nahida Bristy?
While investigators confirmed Limon’s death, Nahida Bristy remains missing and authorities are continuing to search for her.
Police say her disappearance remains one of the most urgent parts of the investigation. Officials have expanded searches to several districts in hopes of finding them or gathering new clues about their last known movements.
Family members and investigators have appealed to the public for information that could help find Bristy.
What we know and what remains unknown
Investigators have confirmed several key developments, but key details are still missing.
What we know:
- Zamil Limon was found dead on April 24th
- Hisham Abugharbieh is in custody
- Nahida Bristy is still missing
- The case began with a missing person investigation
What is still unknown:
- The exact motive behind the crime
- Limon’s cause of death
- Bristy’s current location
- The events that led to the disappearance
Authorities continue to examine evidence and interview witnesses to reconstruct the timeline of events.
