USF murder charges filed after two Bangladesh doctoral students disappear in Florida

Florida investigators have charged a former University of South Florida student with killing two Bangladeshi doctoral students who vanished earlier in April. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a weapon. The victims were identified as Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both students at USF.

Representative image

Authorities said Limon’s remains were found on the Howard Frankland bridge on Friday morning. Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said on Friday that Bristy remained missing. Officials continued to search for Bristy, and asked anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office about the disappearance.

Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office murder charges

Abugharbieh, a native-born US citizen, was first detained on Friday at a family home near the campus. Preliminary allegations included unlawfully moving a dead body and failing to report a death. Deputies also listed tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery among the initial charges before the murder counts.

Deputies said officers went to the home after a reported domestic violence incident. Authorities said relatives were moved to safety after officers arrived. Investigators said Abugharbieh then barricaded inside and refused to leave. A SWAT team arrived with a drone, a robot and crisis negotiators. Abugharbieh later exited with hands raised.

University of South Florida student disappearances

Limon and Bristy, both 27, disappeared from campus on April 16, officials said. A relative said the pair were considering getting married. Investigators said Limon was last seen at an off-campus apartment complex. Limon lived there with Abugharbieh. Bristy lived on campus and was last seen an hour later.

Maurer said an autopsy was underway to confirm the manner and cause of Limon’s death. Maurer said on Friday that results were expected Saturday morning. Authorities did not announce any findings in the statement. Investigators also did not give details on where Bristy might be located.

University of South Florida student records and studies

University records showed Abugharbieh previously studied at USF but was not enrolled when the students disappeared. A university spokesperson said Abugharbieh attended from Spring 2021 through Spring 2023. Records said Abugharbieh pursued a BS in Management. Investigators did not describe any current link to the campus.

Officials said Limon studied geography, environmental science and policy at USF. Authorities said Bristy studied chemical engineering. Bristy was a graduate of Noakhali Science and Technology University. The university said in a Saturday statement it spelled Bristy’s surname as Brishti. It described Bristy as a PhD candidate.

Noakhali Science and Technology University statement on Nahida Bristy

"Her sudden passing has deeply saddened all of us,\" Vice Chancellor Mohammad Ismail said. \"The university family pays deep respect to her memory. At the same time, we demand punishment for those involved in her death and compensation for the victims family.\"

Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office records and prior cases

The sheriffs office said Abugharbieh had earlier arrests. Court records said Abugharbieh faced battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling charges in September 2023. Records also listed a battery charge from May 2023. Both cases were classified as misdemeanours. Authorities also cited traffic violations in court filings.

Court records said Abugharbieh entered a diversion programme for first-time misdemeanour offenders. The records said the programme was completed in 2024 and the charges were discontinued. A phone call to Abugharbieh’s lawyer in that case was not immediately returned. Records also showed two domestic violence petitions by a family member.

A judge granted an injunction in one 2023 petition and denied the other, court records showed. Investigators said Bristy was still missing as the search continued. Authorities said Limon’s remains were found on Friday morning, and an autopsy was being conducted. The Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office said Abugharbieh faced two murder counts.

With inputs from PTI