Arabic version: طالب دراسات عليا في جامعة جنوب فلوريدا متهم بقتل مزدوج

Hisham Abugharbieh has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder in the first degree with a weapon following the disappearance of two doctoral students from the University of South Florida (USF). The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced the charges after the remains of Zamil Limon were found on the Howard Frankland Bridge, while Nahida Bristy remains missing.

According to The Guardian, Abugharbieh was initially arrested on preliminary charges, including unlawfully moving a dead body and tampering with evidence, after police responded to a domestic violence report at his family’s home. He barricaded himself inside but later surrendered to authorities.

Limon, 27, was studying geography, environmental science, and policy, while Bristy, also 27, was pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering. Both were last seen on April 16, with Limon last observed at home and Bristy at a campus science building. Their disappearance prompted a search that ended tragically with Limon’s remains being discovered.

Abugharbieh, who is a U.S. citizen and attended USF from 2021 to 2023, is the only suspect in the case. He has a history of prior arrests, including domestic violence charges. Following his initial court appearance, he was ordered held without bond, with a hearing scheduled for April 28.

The investigation continues as authorities await autopsy results to determine Limon’s cause of death. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed the community’s distress over the case, emphasizing the dedication of detectives in uncovering the truth.