TAMPA, FL – April 24, 2026 — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has located the remains of missing University of South Florida graduate student Zamil Limon, 27, and arrested a suspect in connection with the disappearance of Limon and Nahida Bristy, 27.
According to HCSO, the case began as a missing persons investigation and quickly evolved into a multi-jurisdictional investigation spanning Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
Detectives identified 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, Limon’s roommate, as a person of interest. On Friday, April 24, 2026, at approximately 9:09 a.m., deputies responded to the 14000 block of Pine Glen Circle in reference to an unrelated domestic violence incident involving Abugharbieh. Authorities said he barricaded himself inside the residence and refused multiple lawful commands to exit.
Specialized units, including SWAT, the Bomb Disposal Team, the Crisis Negotiations Team, and the Drone Response Team, were deployed. At approximately 10:30 a.m., Abugharbieh was taken into custody without further incident.
He faces the following charges:
• Unlawfully Holding or Moving a Dead Human Body in Unapproved Conditions
• Failure to Report a Death (Intent to Conceal)
• Tampering with Physical Evidence
• False Imprisonment
• Battery
During the investigation, detectives followed leads near the Howard Frankland Bridge, where Limon’s remains were located.
The search for Bristy remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.
Limon’s cause of death will be determined by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation remains active.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
