Barricaded Suspect Charged with Murder in Disappearance of Two Doctoral Students; Search Continues for Missing Body

During a dramatic SWAT standoff, a suspect, clad only in a towel, barricaded himself inside a residence following the mysterious disappearance of two doctoral students from the University of South Florida. On Saturday, this individual, identified as Hisham Abugharbieh, was formally charged with two counts of murder.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced that Abugharbieh, 26, faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon, which were premeditated, for the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.

According to the sheriff’s office, evidence was submitted to the State Attorney’s Office, leading to additional charges against Abugharbieh. To maintain the confidentiality of the ongoing investigation, officials have refrained from disclosing specific details of the case findings.

Both Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy were last seen on separate occasions on April 16 in Tampa, Florida, as reported by the University of South Florida Police Department on Tuesday, April 21.

“At this time, the search for Bristy continues,” the update added. “Anyone with information regarding her disappearance is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.”

Abugharbieh was initially arrested on Friday on charges of unlawfully holding or move a dead human body in unapproved conditions, failure to report death to medical examiner or law enforcement (intent to conceal), tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, battery. 

Authorities discovered human remains near the Howard Frankland Bridge. They were positively identified Friday as belonging to Limon. Bristy’s body remains missing as of Saturday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. 

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