Bangladeshi USF PhD student Limon found dead, Bristy still missing, roommate Abugharbieh charged with double murder case as another student Bristy still remains missing
TAMPA, Florida — A missing persons case involving two Bangladeshi doctoral students at University of South Florida has escalated into a double homicide investigation, with authorities charging a former student with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, was formally charged Saturday, April 25, with killing Zamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Bristy, both 27, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Limon’s body was recovered Friday morning, April 24, from the water beneath Howard Frankland Bridge. Bristy remains missing, though investigators say evidence suggests she may also be dead.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed her death.
April 14–15: Final contact with family
In the days before their disappearance, Limon told family members he was under pressure preparing for his doctoral thesis presentation and asked not to be contacted unless necessary.
Family members said this was the last normal communication they had with him.
Thursday, April 16: Last confirmed sightings
At approximately 9:00 a.m., Limon was last seen at his off-campus residence in Tampa, about three blocks from the university. Friends said he had marked himself as working from home on a shared lab calendar.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., Bristy was last seen inside the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on campus.
Police said there was no confirmed contact with either student after those times.
Friday, April 17: Concern escalates
By late afternoon, a family friend was unable to reach either student and alerted authorities.
The University of South Florida Police Department began initial inquiries.
Saturday, April 18: Missing reports filed
Formal missing persons reports were filed. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office joined the investigation, and both students were entered into missing persons databases.
April 19–22: Expanding search
Detectives interviewed friends, classmates, and associates. Search efforts expanded across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Investigators reviewed digital activity, including phone records and campus access logs.
Thursday, April 23: Case upgraded
Authorities reclassified both students as endangered missing persons, citing new investigative information. Details were not released.
Friday, April 24: Domestic violence call, arrest and recovery
At approximately 9:00 a.m., deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a residence connected to Abugharbieh.
Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said family members inside were able to leave safely. The suspect refused commands to exit, leading to a 20-minute standoff and deployment of a SWAT team.
He later surrendered and was taken into custody.
Later that day, investigators recovered Limon’s body from the water beneath the Howard Frankland Bridge.
Marine and dive teams searched nearby waters for Bristy.
Saturday, April 25: Murder charges filed
Abugharbieh appeared in court Saturday morning and was charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon.
He also faces additional charges, including:
- Unlawfully moving a dead body
- Failure to report a death with intent to conceal
- Tampering with physical evidence
- False imprisonment
- Battery
He is being held without bond pending a pretrial detention hearing scheduled for April 28, prosecutors said.
Evidence and investigation
Investigators told Bristy’s family that a significant amount of blood was found inside the apartment shared by Limon and the suspect.
Based on that evidence, authorities said they believe Bristy may be dead, though her body has not been recovered.
Maurer said investigators were able to link the suspect to the case and to Limon’s body. Authorities also said the suspect stopped cooperating during questioning on Thursday.
Background of the suspect
Abugharbieh is a former USF student who attended the university from 2021 through 2023.
Court records show he was arrested twice in 2023 on battery charges that were later dropped. In a separate case, a family member had previously sought a court injunction alleging violent behavior.
Authorities said he was arrested at a family residence where he had barricaded himself before surrendering.
Victims remembered
Family members described Limon as a dedicated researcher who had been working on environmental science and artificial intelligence.
“He always put a smile on his face,” his brother said.
The family said he had planned to return to Bangladesh after completing his PhD and pursue a career as a university professor. He had also spoken about a possible future with Bristy.
Bristy, a chemical engineering doctoral student, was described as being in regular contact with her family. Her sudden disappearance raised immediate concern.
A university in Bangladesh where she completed her undergraduate studies described her as a talented and promising student.
Official response
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
University President Moez Limayem said the incidents occurred off campus and that investigators believe the suspect acted alone. He added there is no ongoing threat to the campus community.
The university said it is coordinating with Bangladeshi diplomatic officials and supporting the families.
Ongoing investigation
Authorities continue to search for Bristy and are working to reconstruct events leading up to April 16.
The medical examiner is expected to release Limon’s cause of death following the autopsy.
The investigation remains active.
Investigators Fear Bristy’s Body May Never Be Found
A new and deeply troubling development emerged late Friday night, April 24 (U.S. Eastern Time) in the case involving two missing University of South Florida graduate students. Investigators now believe that Nahida Sultana Bristy was also killed and that her body may never be recovered, according to her brother in Bangladesh. Speaking shortly after being contacted by authorities, he said investigators informed him that, based on the significant amount of blood found inside the apartment shared by the suspect and Zamil Ahmed Limon, they believe Bristy is likely dead. Limon’s body had been recovered earlier that same day, Friday morning, from the Howard Frankland Bridge area in Tampa. Investigators further indicated that the volume and condition of the evidence suggest Bristy’s remains may not be recoverable.
USF Double Murder Case: One Found Dead, Another Still Missing, Suspect Arrested
Courtesy: USFPD | HCSO | Tampabay28 | CNN
Read more in WORLD | BUSINESS | BANGLADESH | স্টার কমিউন বাংলা
