USF roommate Hisham Abugharbieh charged with murder in doctoral students' case
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has been charged with two counts of murder in the USF students’ case.
Why it matters: For legal professionals, this case highlights the complexities of prosecuting premeditated murder, managing evolving criminal charges, and potential campus safety liabilities—a focal point for counsel advising universities and law enforcement.
- Hisham Abugharbieh, former USF student, charged April 25, 2026 with two counts of first-degree murder.
- Zamil Limon’s remains found April 24, 2026; Nahida Bristy still missing.
- Previous charges included evidence tampering, false imprisonment, battery as of April 2026.
- Abugharbieh has prior arrests for battery, burglary (2023), and faced domestic violence injunctions.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, is now charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder following the disappearance of USF doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy on April 16, 2026. Limon’s body was located on the Howard Frankland Bridge on April 24, but Bristy has not been found.
- Abugharbieh was apprehended after a standoff at his family's home, where he surrendered to Hillsborough County deputies (case details).
- Before the murder charges, he faced counts of unlawfully moving a dead body, tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, battery, and failure to report a death.
- Limon and Bristy, both 27, were graduate students at USF. Limon studied geography and environmental science; Bristy was a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering.
Abugharbieh attended USF from Spring 2021 to Spring 2023, last pursuing a BS in Management. In 2023, he was arrested on unrelated battery and burglary charges and completed a diversion program in 2024. That year, two domestic violence petitions were filed against him; one led to a legal injunction.
Legal observers note the escalation from earlier charges to first-degree premeditated murder, which requires prosecutors to prove intent and preplanning. This case may also test campus safety protocols and raise liability issues for educational institutions advising on student welfare and roommate policies.
Sheriff Chad Chronister characterized the investigation as disturbing, adding that it has deeply impacted both the USF community and the broader Tampa region.
By the numbers:
- 2 — Counts of first-degree murder charged to Abugharbieh (April 25, 2026)
- 4 — Previous criminal counts including tampering, false imprisonment, battery (April 2026)
- 2 — Domestic violence petitions filed against Abugharbieh in 2023
Yes, but: Bristy's whereabouts remain unknown, complicating prosecution and evidence gathering.
What's next: Prosecutors will outline their legal theory of premeditation at an upcoming arraignment hearing; campus liability considerations may emerge as the investigation continues.