Suspect Charged with Murder in Death of Florida Student; Search Continues for Missing Woman
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
A suspect has been charged in connection with the murder of his roommate, a University of South Florida (USF) student, and the disappearance of another female college student in Tampa. Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces charges including premeditated murder with a weapon, illegal handling or transport of a corpse, failure to report a death to the medical examiner or authorities (with intent to conceal), and tampering with physical evidence, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities confirmed Friday the discovery of the body of Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student who had been reported missing alongside Nahida Bristy, also 27, who is still unaccounted for and believed to be dead. Details about Limon’s cause of death and the motive remain unknown. Abugharbieh, who has a prior criminal record in Hillsborough County, was arrested on April 24 in Tampa after barricading himself inside a residence following a domestic violence call. He surrendered to a SWAT team after a standoff. Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge during the investigation into the pair’s disappearance. Both students were last seen on April 16 in Tampa, and their disappearance was reported on April 21 after several days of no contact, which their families described as unusual. Authorities are still searching for Bristy and have extended the investigation across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, including collecting evidence on the Howard Frankland Bridge. The community remains deeply concerned, and officials are urging anyone with information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.