University of South Florida Doctoral Student Found Dead; Roommate Charged in Connection to Disappearance

Hillsborough County authorities have found the body of missing USF student Zamil Limon. Roommate Hisham Abugharbieh is in custody as the search for Nahida Bristy continues.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 4:58 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CNN

A Heartbreaking Discovery in the Search for Missing Scholars

The search for two missing University of South Florida (USF) doctoral students reached a grim milestone on Friday when authorities confirmed the discovery of remains belonging to 27-year-old Zamil Limon. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge, a major artery connecting St. Petersburg and Tampa. Limon, an international student from Bangladesh, had been pursuing a doctorate in geography, environmental science, and policy before his disappearance last week.

Roommate in Custody Following Domestic Violence Call

Law enforcement officials have identified Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, as a suspect in the case. Abugharbieh, who was Limon’s roommate and a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody following a reported domestic violence incident at the pair's off-campus residence on Friday morning. While the investigation into the exact cause of Limon's death is ongoing, the proximity of the suspect to the victim has become a focal point for detectives.

Multiple Charges Filed Against Abugharbieh

Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced a series of charges against Abugharbieh. These include false imprisonment, domestic violence through simple battery, tampering with physical evidence, failure to report a death, and the unlawful moving of a dead body. Despite these charges, the sheriff's office has remained tight-lipped regarding the specific evidence that led them to the bridge, citing the need to protect the integrity of the active criminal investigation.