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USF Bangladeshi PhD students: Missing, body found, former student charged with murder
Two Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida were reported missing after last being seen near the campus on April 16. On April 24, the body of Zamil Limon was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge, and a former USF student was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Bristy Nahida Bristy remained missing.
Why It Matters
The case highlights safety concerns for international students at US universities and shows the progression from a missing-person case to murder charges in a university community.
Timeline
5 Events
Limon's body recovered from the Howard Frankland Bridge
April 24, 2026
The body of Zamil Limon was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. Bristy remained missing at the time.
Arrest and murder charges announced for Abugharbieh
April 24, 2026
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, a former USF student who shared a flat with Limon, was taken into custody and charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in connection with the deaths of both students. Police described a barricade situation that prompted a SWAT response and crisis negotiation before his arrest.
Missing persons report filed; campus police alerted
April 17, 2026
A family friend failed to reach either Limon or Bristy, leading to a missing persons report and notification of campus police.
Limon and Bristy last seen near USF campus; Limon at 9:00 a.m. and Bristy about an hour later on April 16, 2026
April 16, 2026
Zamil Limon, 27, was sighted around 9 a.m. at his off-campus residence about three blocks from the USF campus in Tampa. Nahida Bristy, 27, was seen roughly an hour later. They had been last seen near the university campus the previous day.
Earlier 2023: Abugharbieh arrested on battery charges; injunction sought
2023
Court records show Abugharbieh was arrested twice in 2023 on battery charges, both of which were later dropped. Following one incident, his brother sought a court injunction to keep him away from the family home, which was the same property involved in later events.