The physique of a Bangladeshi doctoral pupil who went lacking along with his girlfriend from the College of South Florida was discovered on a bridge over Tampa Bay, and his roommate has been taken into custody, legislation enforcement authorities mentioned Friday.
Zamil Limon’s stays have been discovered on the Howard Frankland bridge Friday morning, however Nahida Bristy continues to be lacking, Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer mentioned.
Limon’s roommate Hisham Saleh Abugharbeih, 26, was taken into custody at his household’s dwelling close by on preliminary expenses that embody unlawfully transferring a useless physique, failure to report a demise, tampering with proof, false imprisonment and battery. He was anticipated to make a primary look in courtroom Saturday morning.
“We’re nonetheless actively trying to find Nahida,” Maurer mentioned, interesting to the general public to share any helpful data. Legislation enforcement dive groups have been looking the bay close to the bridge as a part of these efforts, the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
Officers encountered Abugharbeih as they responded to a report of home violence at his household’s dwelling, simply north of the campus, and have been capable of transfer his family members to security. However then he barricaded himself inside and refused to return out. A SWAT group responded — together with a drone, a robotic and disaster negotiators — earlier than Abugarbeih got here out along with his palms up, apparently sporting nothing however a blue towel.
“It is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our group and impacted many who have been hoping for a secure decision,” Sheriff Chad Chronister mentioned. “Whereas the invention of Zamil Limon’s stays is heartbreaking, I need the general public to know that our detectives labored and are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the reality.”
Limon and Bristy, each 27, have been contemplating getting married, a relative mentioned. They disappeared from campus on April 16. Limon was final seen at his dwelling in an off-campus condo advanced the place he lived with Abugharbeih. Bristy, who lived on campus, was final seen an hour later at a campus science constructing.
A household good friend contacted authorities final Friday after being unable to contact both one, USF police mentioned.
Investigators spoke with Abugharbeih, who’s a native-born U.S. citizen, on Thursday, Maurer mentioned, however after initially speaking, Abugharbeih selected to finish the interview. He mentioned Abugharbeih was talking with detectives once more after his arrest Friday morning.
There are not any different suspects within the investigation at the moment, Maurer mentioned.
An post-mortem is being executed on the stays to find out the way and reason behind Limon’s demise, and people outcomes are anticipated Saturday morning, he mentioned.
Abugharbeih had been a USF pupil however was not at the moment enrolled. College data confirmed he had attended the varsity from Spring 2021 by means of Spring 2023, and had pursued a BS in Administration, a college spokesperson mentioned.
Limon was learning geography, environmental science and coverage, and Bristy is learning chemical engineering.
Abugharbeih had a number of earlier arrests, the sheriff’s workplace mentioned. He was charged with battery and housebreaking of an unoccupied dwelling in September 2023, and with battery that Might — each categorized in courtroom data as misdemeanors. Court docket data present Abugharbeih entered right into a diversion program for first-time offenders charged with misdemeanors. He accomplished this system in 2024 and the fees have been discontinued. A cellphone name to his lawyer in that case was not instantly returned.
Hillsborough County Court docket data additionally confirmed two home violence petitions filed by a member of the family in 2023. A decide granted an injunction in a single case and denied the opposite petition. He additionally was accused of site visitors violations.
____ This story has been up to date to right that it was Hillsborough County Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer who spoke Friday morning, not the sheriff.
___ Lauer reported from Philadelphia and Boone reported from Boise, Idaho. Related Press reporter Michael Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed.
