Topline: Authorities confirmed that remains discovered by a kayaker belong to a doctoral student missing since mid-April
Published: May 2, 2026 10:00 am ET
Must Read
Left: Nahida S. Bristy, Center: Zamil Limon, Right: Hisham Abugharbieh (via University of South Florida Police Department/Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office)
TAMPA, FL — A body found on April 26 in Tampa Bay is the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced in a press conference that the remains are those of Nahida Bristy, a student missing since April 16. A kayaker found her body in a garbage bag after a fishing line became snagged. Investigators used DNA and dental records to identify the body due to its condition.
The discovery follows the recovery of fellow student Zamil Limon. His body was found in a different garbage bag on a bridge over the bay two days earlier. Both were students at the university.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, is currently in jail facing two counts of first-degree murder. According to ABC7, Abugharbieh was Limon’s roommate and had previously attended the university.
Chronister described the killings as a “monstrous crime” during the May 1 press conference. He noted that the suspect showed no emotion when presented with evidence of the slayings.
The two students were killed around the same time and place. Detectives have not yet confirmed a motive, as per Associated Press. The sheriff said the suspect was nonreactive and callous during questioning.
Bristy and Limon disappeared April 16. Campus police and the sheriff’s office started separate missing persons cases for the students. Both were known for being responsible and rarely missed appointments.
Investigators visited the apartment Limon shared with Abugharbieh and another roommate. While the other roommate helped police, Abugharbieh provided inconsistent answers. He had a bandaged finger and a cut on his arm.
The other roommate told police Abugharbieh used a large cart to move items to a trash compactor between April 16 and April 17. Detectives searched the compactor and found Limon’s glasses, student ID card, and wallet.
PThey also found clothes covered in blood. This evidence allowed police to get search warrants for the apartment and the suspect’s phone.
A search of the apartment revealed large amounts of blood in the kitchen and hallway. Investigators used a chemical spray that showed blood in the shape of a body in the fetal position next to Abugharbieh’s bed.
Blood found on the floorboards of the suspect’s car also matched Bristy, according to the sheriff. Police believe Abugharbieh moved the bodies to the car using a cart at night.
GPS data from the car and video from a fire station showed the vehicle traveling across the Tampa Bay bridge. This information helped investigators focus their search.
Forensic experts examined the suspect’s phone after data had been erased. They found searches for whether a knife could penetrate a skull and if a neighbor could hear a gunshot.
The suspect bought Lysol wipes and heavy-duty trash bags before the students disappeared. Chronister said these purchases show the acts were planned.
Limon studied geography and environmental science. Bristy was a chemical engineering student. Both were citizens of Bangladesh.
The university held a vigil for the students on the afternoon of May 1. Hundreds of people gathered on campus under an oak tree. Large photos of the two students stood next to white roses.
Abugharbieh has a criminal record dating to 2018, including charges of battery, burglary, trespassing and speeding. He is being held without bond at the Falkenburg Road Jail, according to online records.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Second Missing USF Student’s Remains Confirmed by DNA
Authorities confirmed that remains discovered by a kayaker belong to a doctoral student missing since mid-April
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 2, 2026 10:00 am ET
Left: Nahida S. Bristy, Center: Zamil Limon, Right: Hisham Abugharbieh (via University of South Florida Police Department/Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office)
TAMPA, FL — A body found on April 26 in Tampa Bay is the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced in a press conference that the remains are those of Nahida Bristy, a student missing since April 16. A kayaker found her body in a garbage bag after a fishing line became snagged. Investigators used DNA and dental records to identify the body due to its condition.
The discovery follows the recovery of fellow student Zamil Limon. His body was found in a different garbage bag on a bridge over the bay two days earlier. Both were students at the university.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, is currently in jail facing two counts of first-degree murder. According to ABC7, Abugharbieh was Limon’s roommate and had previously attended the university.
Chronister described the killings as a “monstrous crime” during the May 1 press conference. He noted that the suspect showed no emotion when presented with evidence of the slayings.
The two students were killed around the same time and place. Detectives have not yet confirmed a motive, as per Associated Press. The sheriff said the suspect was nonreactive and callous during questioning.
Bristy and Limon disappeared April 16. Campus police and the sheriff’s office started separate missing persons cases for the students. Both were known for being responsible and rarely missed appointments.
Investigators visited the apartment Limon shared with Abugharbieh and another roommate. While the other roommate helped police, Abugharbieh provided inconsistent answers. He had a bandaged finger and a cut on his arm.
The other roommate told police Abugharbieh used a large cart to move items to a trash compactor between April 16 and April 17. Detectives searched the compactor and found Limon’s glasses, student ID card, and wallet.
PThey also found clothes covered in blood. This evidence allowed police to get search warrants for the apartment and the suspect’s phone.
A search of the apartment revealed large amounts of blood in the kitchen and hallway. Investigators used a chemical spray that showed blood in the shape of a body in the fetal position next to Abugharbieh’s bed.
Blood found on the floorboards of the suspect’s car also matched Bristy, according to the sheriff. Police believe Abugharbieh moved the bodies to the car using a cart at night.
GPS data from the car and video from a fire station showed the vehicle traveling across the Tampa Bay bridge. This information helped investigators focus their search.
Forensic experts examined the suspect’s phone after data had been erased. They found searches for whether a knife could penetrate a skull and if a neighbor could hear a gunshot.
The suspect bought Lysol wipes and heavy-duty trash bags before the students disappeared. Chronister said these purchases show the acts were planned.
Limon studied geography and environmental science. Bristy was a chemical engineering student. Both were citizens of Bangladesh.
The university held a vigil for the students on the afternoon of May 1. Hundreds of people gathered on campus under an oak tree. Large photos of the two students stood next to white roses.
Abugharbieh has a criminal record dating to 2018, including charges of battery, burglary, trespassing and speeding. He is being held without bond at the Falkenburg Road Jail, according to online records.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Second Missing USF Student’s Remains Confirmed by DNA
Authorities confirmed that remains discovered by a kayaker belong to a doctoral student missing since mid-April
By Kate Byrd
Published: May 2, 2026 10:00 am ET
Left: Nahida S. Bristy, Center: Zamil Limon, Right: Hisham Abugharbieh (via University of South Florida Police Department/Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office)
TAMPA, FL — A body found on April 26 in Tampa Bay is the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced in a press conference that the remains are those of Nahida Bristy, a student missing since April 16. A kayaker found her body in a garbage bag after a fishing line became snagged. Investigators used DNA and dental records to identify the body due to its condition.
The discovery follows the recovery of fellow student Zamil Limon. His body was found in a different garbage bag on a bridge over the bay two days earlier. Both were students at the university.
Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, is currently in jail facing two counts of first-degree murder. According to ABC7, Abugharbieh was Limon’s roommate and had previously attended the university.
Chronister described the killings as a “monstrous crime” during the May 1 press conference. He noted that the suspect showed no emotion when presented with evidence of the slayings.
The two students were killed around the same time and place. Detectives have not yet confirmed a motive, as per Associated Press. The sheriff said the suspect was nonreactive and callous during questioning.
Bristy and Limon disappeared April 16. Campus police and the sheriff’s office started separate missing persons cases for the students. Both were known for being responsible and rarely missed appointments.
Investigators visited the apartment Limon shared with Abugharbieh and another roommate. While the other roommate helped police, Abugharbieh provided inconsistent answers. He had a bandaged finger and a cut on his arm.
The other roommate told police Abugharbieh used a large cart to move items to a trash compactor between April 16 and April 17. Detectives searched the compactor and found Limon’s glasses, student ID card, and wallet.
PThey also found clothes covered in blood. This evidence allowed police to get search warrants for the apartment and the suspect’s phone.
A search of the apartment revealed large amounts of blood in the kitchen and hallway. Investigators used a chemical spray that showed blood in the shape of a body in the fetal position next to Abugharbieh’s bed.
Blood found on the floorboards of the suspect’s car also matched Bristy, according to the sheriff. Police believe Abugharbieh moved the bodies to the car using a cart at night.
GPS data from the car and video from a fire station showed the vehicle traveling across the Tampa Bay bridge. This information helped investigators focus their search.
Forensic experts examined the suspect’s phone after data had been erased. They found searches for whether a knife could penetrate a skull and if a neighbor could hear a gunshot.
The suspect bought Lysol wipes and heavy-duty trash bags before the students disappeared. Chronister said these purchases show the acts were planned.
Limon studied geography and environmental science. Bristy was a chemical engineering student. Both were citizens of Bangladesh.
The university held a vigil for the students on the afternoon of May 1. Hundreds of people gathered on campus under an oak tree. Large photos of the two students stood next to white roses.
Abugharbieh has a criminal record dating to 2018, including charges of battery, burglary, trespassing and speeding. He is being held without bond at the Falkenburg Road Jail, according to online records.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
