In brief
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder regarding the disappearance of his roommate Zamil Limon and girlfriend Nahida Bristy from the University of South Florida. Limon's remains were found on the Howard Frankland Bridge, while Bristy remains missing. Abugharbieh had previously been arrested multiple times, including domestic violence incidents. Authorities are continuing their search for Bristy and conducting an autopsy to determine Limon's cause of death.
TAMPA, Fla. (PulseWire) — Murder charges have been filed against the roommate of a doctoral student from Bangladesh who disappeared with his girlfriend earlier this month from the University of South Florida. Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon in the deaths of fellow USF students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Limon’s remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge on Friday, while Bristy is still missing. Abugharbieh, a U.S. citizen, was apprehended at his family's home on preliminary charges that include unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, and battery. Authorities responded to a report of domestic violence last week, leading to Abugharbieh barricading himself inside his family’s residence before surrendering to a SWAT team. Limon and Bristy, both 27, were reportedly considering marriage and last seen on campus on April 16; Limon was last spotted at his apartment while Bristy was seen at the campus science building. An autopsy is underway for Limon to establish the cause of death. Meanwhile, the search for Bristy continues, with the sheriff's office urging anyone with information to come forward. Abugharbieh has a history of arrests, including charges of battery and domestic violence, but concluded a diversion program for first-time offenders, halting the previous charges. His next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
