From Dispatch Room
A former University of South Florida student has been charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder following the death and disappearance of two Bangladeshi doctoral students whose case has shaken the university community in Tampa, Florida.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, who was linked to the disappearance of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27. Limon’s body was found on Friday on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay, while the search for Bristy remains active, according to officials.
The two students were last seen separately on April 16. Limon, a doctoral student in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home, while Bristy, a doctoral student in chemical engineering, was last seen on the USF Tampa campus. A family friend contacted police the following day after relatives and friends were unable to reach them.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said evidence presented to prosecutors led to upgraded charges against Abugharbieh. He now faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon, described by authorities as premeditated. Earlier charges reportedly included tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, failure to report a death and unlawfully moving or handling a dead body.
Abugharbieh was arrested after a police operation at his family’s home in North Tampa. Authorities said the incident involved a barricade situation before he was taken into custody. He had previously attended USF but was not currently enrolled at the university.
The case has drawn wide attention because both victims were young international scholars pursuing advanced degrees in the United States. Reports said Limon and Bristy were originally from Bangladesh, and their deaths have left friends, colleagues and members of the university community in shock.
Law enforcement officials have said the search for Bristy is continuing and urged anyone with useful information to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers. Investigators are also awaiting further findings on Limon’s cause of death.
The charges against Abugharbieh remain allegations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
— Newspot Nigeria
