In April 2026, the University of South Florida community was rocked by the disappearance of two promising doctoral students from Bangladesh. Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy vanished within roughly one hour of each other on April 16, setting off a desperate search that ended with the discovery of their bodies and the arrest of Limon’s roommate on murder charges.

Limon, 27, was studying geography and environmental science and policy. Bristy, also 27, was pursuing a PhD in chemical engineering. Both had plane tickets home to Bangladesh for July and bright futures ahead. They were close friends who had discussed marriage.

Timeline of the tragedy:

April 16: Limon was last seen at his off-campus apartment. Bristy was last seen about an hour later at a campus science building.
April 17–23: Families and friends reported them missing after no contact.
April 24: During a domestic violence call at roommate Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh’s family home, he barricaded himself. SWAT responded. He surrendered peacefully. That same morning, Limon’s remains were found in a trash bag on the Howard Frankland Bridge.
May 1: Authorities confirmed Bristy’s remains, found by a kayaker in nearby mangroves, through DNA, dental records, and clothing. Both victims had been stabbed.

Abugharbieh, 26, a former USF student, faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon plus additional charges. Phone evidence reportedly includes searches for knives, body disposal, and ChatGPT queries about hiding corpses. He had prior battery incidents. A judge ordered him held without bond; prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.

The case has devastated families. Bristy’s brother called her the “perfect sister.” Limon’s relatives said he had concerns about his roommate. Both bodies are being returned to Bangladesh for burial. USF held a vigil honoring the students.

This double homicide raises serious questions about roommate safety, mental health support for international students, and early intervention. Sheriff Chad Chronister called it “pure evil.” The swift resolution of the search brings painful closure but leaves a community in mourning.