Zamil Limon, right, and Nahida Bristy were reported missing last week. Authorities say Limon’s remains were found Friday, April 24.
Photo courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
By Alisha Durosier and Julia Ferrara
Hearts are heavy across the University of South Florida this month after two missing 27-year-old doctoral students from Bangladesh were confirmed dead.
Zamil Limon, a geography, environmental science and policy student and Nahida Bristy, a chemical engineering student, were reported missing on April 17 after a family friend was unable to reach them.
Both students were last seen on April 16, Bristy in the Natural & Environmental Science building of the USF Tampa campus and Limon at his Tampa apartment complex – week later, on April 24, his remains were found on Howard Frankland Bridge.
Limon’s roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, was taken into custody on the preliminary charges of moving a dead body, failure to report a death, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and battery.
On April 25, Abugharbieh’s charges were upgraded to two counts of first-degree murder for both Limon and Bristy’s deaths, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
Abugharbieh has a prior record, including domestic violence petitions, battery and burglary of an unoccupied dwelling, but they were either dropped or classified as misdemeanors.
Though confirmed dead, Bristy’s remains have not been found.
The Sherrif’s Office Deputy Joseph Maurer shared that they’ve been able to link Abugharbieh to the case and are waiting on the autopsy results for manner and cause of death.
“At this time, we have no indications that think he was not working alone, but again, active investigation,” Maurer told WFLA.
USF students shared their thoughts on the situation.
“It is really concerning because, like I said, it is really close to home,” a student said to a WFLA reporter.
“It’s really shocking, just because I’ve been here for 3 years and I haven’t really seen anything like this,” another student shared.
USF President Moez Limayem sent a university-wide email sharing updates about the case, and services staff and students have access to if needed.
“In recent days, members of the USF leadership team have spoken directly with the families and friends of the students to offer our support and assure them that we have been doing everything possible to assist in this case,” Limayem said. “We will continue to stay in close contact with them to provide any help that we can.”
Students can access Timely Care 24/7 or in-person counseling services on campus. Resources for faculty and staff are available through the Employee Assistance Program.
