Found Deceased FL - Zamil Limon, 27, Nahida S. Bristy, 27, USF doctoral students, 16 Apr 2026 *Arrest*

[TexLil]

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

I hope this is ok to share. A beautiful video of Nahida playing guitar and singing, and Zamil with her.

PEACEFUL: Each image...and now this beautiful video...of Bristy and Zamil conveys one word to me overall: peaceful. They both appear to share a sense of calm, especially with each other. Bristy's musical talent and angelic voice only add to this feeling. I pray those who loved these gentle souls... And those deeply touched by this tragedy... can find a bit of peace from their many precious memories. MOO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh worsened over time from marijuana use, family members told deputies after his arrest three years ago for punching his brother in the face and kicking his mother in the back.

Hisham Abugharbieh was delusional at the time, stating “I am son of Mary” and “I created my brother. I am his god.” He was taken to jail under the Baker Act, a Florida law that allows for involuntary, emergency mental health observation for 72 hours, according to an incident report made public Wednesday about the May 2023 misdemeanor battery arrest from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

“HIsham used to be a cool guy, a supportive and helpful eldest son, until he started smoking cannabis, especially medical marijuana,” a relative whose name was redacted wrote in a victim impact statement more than a week after Abugharbieh’s May 2023 arrest. “It turned him mentally ill, with hurtful behavior and anger problems which is affecting the family life. We lost Hisham as a normal family member.”

At the time, Abugharbieh told deputies that he was acting in self-defense because his brother was threatening him. Abugharbieh’s relatives didn’t want him to face prosecution but asked that he receive substance abuse treatment.

New report details suspect's worsening behavior before 2 USF students' killings

Family members say the behavior of a suspect in the murders of two University of South Florida students worsened over time because of marijuana use.

apnews.com

 

[Lebowski]

i believe him that the marijuana use and mental health spiral coincided. but if his thought is that the marijuana caused it, i'm skeptical. weed doesn't do  this.

 

[PatLaurel]

“HIsham used to be a cool guy, a supportive and helpful eldest son, until he started smoking cannabis, especially medical marijuana,”

Question: What was HA qualifying condition to have access to medical marijuana? MOO JMO

 

[SeesSeas]

USF community unites in grief at vigil for students

USF community unites in grief at vigil for students​

• May 1, 2026

A winding line of University of South Florida students, faculty and administrators stood Friday afternoon at Crescent Hill, north of the Marshall Student Center, each waiting solemnly to place a flower — mostly white carnations — between photos of Nahida Sultana Bristy, shown wearing a flowing royal-blue sari, and Zamil Limon, pictured in a patterned coral-pink kurta with a bright green stole.
[...]

Hundreds attend USF vigil to honor the lives of two slain students

Hundreds of people came to remember the two international students who police say were killed by a roommate last month.

www.wusf.org

Hundreds attend USF vigil to honor the lives of two slain students​

Updated May 2, 2026 at 6:58 AM EDT
Hundreds attended a vigil at the University of South Florida on Friday to remember two doctoral students who were brutally killed last month.
Many placed single flowers under photos of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both of whom were 27 and from Bangladesh. Some wore all-white Punjabi suits, as is customary in their home country for those in mourning.
[...]

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

i believe him that the marijuana use and mental health spiral coincided. but if his thought is that the marijuana caused it, i'm skeptical. weed doesn't do  this.

There have been many studies that show that marijuana can cause psychosis in those with vulnerabilities, especially in those under the age of 25, and in most of those individuals, it's not temporary. This is why many of us in healthcare hate how it's become known as a relatively "harmless" drug and more and more states are legalizing it. It's poison for your brain, IMO. I'm not going to blame marijuana for causing him to murder people. But I will blame marijuana for causing psychosis in this individual that may have caused him to murder.

 

[PayrollNerd]

In another blow to USF, the Marine Science Building on the St Pete campus is on fire. My oldest is a marine scientist and there were times during her high school years that we were on that campus. This is devastating to the students, faculty and community while still reeling from the murders on the Tampa campus.

https://fb.watch/GShCoAL63J

2-alarm fire reported on USF St. Petersburg campus

The scene is active and a cause is under investigation.

www.tampabay.com

 

[SeesSeas]

USF will award slain students posthumous degrees at spring commencement

During the doctoral degree ceremony on Friday at 9 a.m., two empty chairs with regalia will be placed on the arena floor to honor the late Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.

www.wusf.org

USF to give posthumous doctoral degrees to 2 slain students

The two were fatally stabbed, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. They were both 27 years old.

baynews9.com

Murdered USF students to receive posthumous doctoral degrees during the spring graduation ceremony

REST IN PEACE 🙏 During the doctoral degree ceremony on Friday, two empty chairs with regalia will be placed on the arena floor, dedicated to Nahida and Zamil.

www.wtsp.com

https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/usf-to-honor-murdered-students-with-posthumous-doctoral-degrees/

During the doctoral ceremony, which will take place at 9 a.m. on May 8, two empty chairs with regalia will be placed on the arena floor to honor the students. In addition, both will be awarded a posthumous doctoral degree in their respective fields of study.

 

[Niner]

@SeesSeas - any updates yet for next hearing date? TIA!

 

[SeesSeas]

@SeesSeas - any updates yet for next hearing date? TIA!

No upcoming hearing date posted yet.

Case Search

hover.hillsclerk.com

 

[Niner]

No upcoming hearing date posted yet.

Case Search

hover.hillsclerk.com

Hmmm.... wonder what they are waiting for!?

And thanks for checking it out - will be back in about a week or so! Again Thanks!

 

[arielilane]

JB Biunno #HeyJB reposted
A video sent to WFLA shows Nahida Bristy and and Zamil Limon, the two USF students that were murdered. Bristy is playing the guitar and singing on the couch next to Limon in this video from November 2025.

https://wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/sheriff-chronister-provides-update-on-murder-of-2-usf-students/

https://twitter.com/x/status/2050296475767169286

 

[PatLaurel]

Suspect in USF student murders indicted by grand jury

Suspect in USF student murders indicted by grand jury​

The next step in the case would be arraignment, which is set for 9 a.m. on May 18.

TAMPA, Fla. — A grand jury handed down the indictment Thursday for the man accused of killing two University of South Florida (USF) doctoral students.
Court records show Hisham Abugharbieh is now facing multiple charges, including:

• Two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon (premeditated) — capital felony
• Two counts of unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body in unapproved conditions — third-degree felony
• Two counts of failure to report death to medical examiner or law enforcement with intent to conceal — third-degree felony
• Tampering with physical evidence relating to a capital felony — second-degree felony

 

[SeesSeas]

ARRAIGNMENT: 09:00 AM on MAY 18, 2026

Case Search

hover.hillsclerk.com

26-CF-006965-A OPEN Case

STATE OF FLORIDA VS
ABUGHARBIEH, HISHAM SALEH
Defendant Birth Date: 05/17/1999

ARRAIGNMENT 2026-05-18 09:00 AM

Charge listing with charge number, offense description, offense date, degree description, and disposition
1 782041 - MURD2005 (FC) MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE WITH A WEAPON (PREM 04/16/2026 CAPITAL FELONY
2 782041 - MURD2005 (FC) MURDER IN THE FIRST DEGREE WITH A WEAPON (PREM 04/16/2026 CAPITAL FELONY
5 49738627 - MISC0482 (FT) UNLAWFULLY HOLD OR MOVE A DEAD HUMAN BODY IN UNAPPROVED CONDITIONS 04/16/2026 THIRD DEGREE FELONY
7 406123-MISC0532 (FT) FAILURE TO REPORT DEATH TO MEDICAL EXAMINER OR LAW ENFRCMNT (INTENT TO CONCEAL) 04/16/2026 THIRD DEGREE FELONY
3 918131A2B - TAMP4006 (FS) TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE RELATING TO A CAPITAL FELONY 04/16/2026 SECOND DEGREE FELONY
6 406123-MISC0532 (FT) FAILURE TO REPORT DEATH TO MEDICAL EXAMINER OR LAW ENFRCMNT (INTENT TO CONCEAL) 04/16/2026 THIRD DEGREE FELONY
8 918131A2A - TAMP4005 (FT) TAMPERING WITH PHYSICAL EVIDENCE 04/16/2026 THIRD DEGREE FELONY NT - NO INFORMATION FILED
4 49738627 - MISC0482 (FT) UNLAWFULLY HOLD OR MOVE A DEAD HUMAN BODY IN UNAPPROVED CONDITIONS 04/16/2026 THIRD DEGREE FELONY

 

[Niner]

Good!

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/florida-prosecutors-to-seek-death-penalty-in-college-student-slayings/

May 8, 2026

(NewsNation) — Prosecutors in Florida will seek the death penalty against the man suspected of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students last month.

The Florida State Attorney’s Office on Friday filed a notice of intention to seek the death penalty against Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
[.....]
In the filing, prosecutors stated that they have identified the necessary aggravating factors that are needed in Florida to seek the death penalty.

In this case, the State Attorney’s Office determined that the slayings were committed in a “cold, calculated and premeditated manner” and that the crimes were considered especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. Thirdly, prosecutors said that Abugharbieh committed multiple homicides during the same criminal episode.

 

[Muddy K]

Still very much thinking of Nahida Bristy and and Zamil Limon and their brutal murders.

Just once, I mean really just once, I would like to have the full and true explanation as to how and why these two unfortunate victims were chosen and then butchered. And not just the usual BS that self-serving killers like this guy typically serve up - "I was jealous, they had everything I wanted, they didn't like me, I had a bad childhood," ad nauseum - but the real truth about whatever on earth he thought entitled him to kill them, the real truth about how he settled on his plan, and then the real truth about the follow-through, during which apparently not one shred of his being caused him to reconsider. I wish he could be compelled to say it all.

I mean, per the Motion for Pretrial Detention, this miscreant included a bag of Funyuns along with all the murder clean-up supplies he ordered and had delivered from CVS. He was going to eat a snack after disposing of the two human beings he'd murdered. JMO, but that reeks of deliberation and choice, not to mention self-indulgence. Not crazy, not even like a fox.

 

[GatorsNorth]

Still very much thinking of Nahida Bristy and and Zamil Limon and their brutal murders.

Just once, I mean really just once, I would like to have the full and true explanation as to how and why these two unfortunate victims were chosen and then butchered. And not just the usual BS that self-serving killers like this guy typically serve up - "I was jealous, they had everything I wanted, they didn't like me, I had a bad childhood," ad nauseum - but the real truth about whatever on earth he thought entitled him to kill them, the real truth about how he settled on his plan, and then the real truth about the follow-through, during which apparently not one shred of his being caused him to reconsider. I wish he could be compelled to say it all.

I mean, per the Motion for Pretrial Detention, this miscreant included a bag of Funyuns along with all the murder clean-up supplies he ordered and had delivered from CVS. He was going to eat a snack after disposing of the two human beings he'd murdered. JMO, but that reeks of deliberation and choice, not to mention self-indulgence. Not crazy, not even like a fox.

Well said, @Muddy K.

 

[PayrollNerd]

When I was on the USF campus for my treatment May 4th, the electronic entrance sign had a notice about their on campus remembrance ceremony. It just gave me pause to think of the horror of these young bright minds being snuffed out.

I really want to see this perps life snuffed out quickly. Too bad it can’t be as brutal as what he did to them.

 

[Niner]

Monday, May 18th:
*Arraignment Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL - *Zamil Limon (27) & Nahida Sultana Bristy (27) last seen on April 16, 2026 & were reported missing on April 17, 2026 by a family friend. Zamil was found on April 24, 2026 on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa. Bristy was found on the shoreline on the east side of Fourth Street North, just south of I-275 on April 26, 2026 south of the Howard Frankland Bridge & was ID’d by ME on 5/1/26. *Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh (26/now 27) arrested (4/24/26) & charged (4/25/26) & indicted (5/7/26) with 2 counts of 1st degree capital felony premeditated murder with a weapon, 2 counts of 3rd degree unlawfully hold or move a dead human body in unapproved conditions, 2 counts of failure to report death to ME or LE (intent to conceal), 2nd degree tampering with physical evidence related to a capital felony & 3rd degree felony tapering with physical evidence. Held without bond. Denied bond (4/28/26). DA will seek the DP. Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Judge J. Logan Murphy presiding. Do not know for sure if Jennifer Spradley, an attorney in the public defender's office in Tampa is defending Abugharbieh.
Case & Court info from 4/16/26 thru 4/25/26 reference post #446 here:
https://websleuths.com/threads/fl-z...al-students-16-apr-2026-arrest.771537/page-23
4/26/26 Update: Sunday night. Pinellas: Reports of a body recovered along the waterline in the area of 4th Street N & I-275, which is around the St. Petersburg side of the Howard Frankland Bridge. Forensic unit will be responding followed by transport to the Pinellas County ME's office. Detention hearing on 4/28/26 @ 9am. Detention hearing which was originally scheduled was continued & a status hearing will be heard in its place.
4/28/26 Update: Abugharbieh facing murder charges in the killings of two University of South Florida students was denied bond Tuesday morning during a hearing. Hisham Abugharbieh faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon as well as other charges, according to state court records. Abugharbieh could get the death penalty if convicted, although prosecutors haven’t yet indicated whether they would seek capital punishment. Abugharbieh did not appear in court. Hillsborough County Judge J. Logan Murphy also ordered Abugharbieh to have no contact with any witnesses or victims' relatives during a brief hearing in a Tampa courtroom. First, the case must go through a grand jury, which Lopez said could start as soon as 5/7/26. "We anticipate that the jury will return a true bill. He'll be indicted, he'll get an arraignment date in a regular felony division & the case will proceed from there," Lopez said.
4/30/26 Update: On April 26, 2026, at approximately 1400 hours, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office was notified of a black trash bag on the shoreline on the east side of Fourth Street North, just south of I-275. This was also just south of the Howard Frankland Bridge, where Zamil Limon's body was located, concealed in a black trash bag &, was clothed in similar attire to what Bristy was wearing when she was last seen on surveillance video, according to an affidavit filed Tuesday. Detectives said the body was found inside a black trash bag [Bristy's remains were found Sunday in a garbage bag discovered by a kayaker whose fishing line got snagged] & the victim appeared to have suffered multiple stab wounds “consistent with the manner of death of Zamil Limon.” The body, which was in “advanced stages of decomposition,” was taken to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to be examined by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office. As of this report, authorities have not confirmed whether the remains are Bristy’s.
5/1/26 Update: The Hillsborough County Sheriff confirmed that human remains recovered from the water near the Howard Frankland Bridge were those of missing University of South Florida student Nahida Bristy, bringing a end to the search for the second of two students who disappeared last month. Sheriff Chad Chronister said the identification was made through DNA, noting the body was found in advanced stages of decomposition in a trash bag discovered by a kayaker whose fishing line got snagged, a week after the remains of fellow USF student Zamil Limon were discovered. Next arraignment hearing on 5/18/26 @ 9am.
5/8/26 Update: The Florida State Attorney’s Office on Friday filed a notice of intention to seek the death penalty against Abugharbieh, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. In the filing, prosecutors stated that they have identified the necessary aggravating factors that are needed in Florida to seek the death penalty. In this case, the State Attorney’s Office determined that the slayings were committed in a “cold, calculated & premeditated manner” & that the crimes were considered especially heinous, atrocious, or cruel. Thirdly, prosecutors said that Abugharbieh committed multiple homicides during the same criminal episode.
Had his birthday yesterday…. 5/17/26.

 

[SeesSeas]

Arraignment today for suspect in USF students murders

An arraignment is scheduled for Hisham Abugharbieh, the man suspected of killing two USF doctoral students.

baynews9.com

May 18, 2026
TAMPA, Fla. -- Attorneys for the suspect charged with murdering two University of South Florida students will appear in court today.
[...]