Body of missing US military doctoral student in Japan found, roommate detained
As the search for Nahida S. Bristi continues, authorities have discovered the body of missing University of South Florida doctoral student Zamir Limon and arrested his roommate.
Corrections and Clarifications: A previous version of this report misspelled the suspect’s name. The suspect is “Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh”.
Murder charges allege a man killed two University of South Florida doctoral students, including his roommate, who was missing for more than a week before his body was found. Authorities are still searching for the second missing student.
Zamir Limon and Nahida S. Bristi, both 27, had been missing since April 16, when they were last seen in the Tampa area. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Limon’s body was discovered on April 24, and his roommate, Hisham Abugarbi, was arrested on multiple charges.
Abugarbi, 26, is now charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder with a deadly weapon in the deaths of Limon and the missing Bristi, the sheriff’s office announced on the morning of April 25. The suspect had previously been charged with unlawfully retaining or moving a corpse, failing to report a death with intent to conceal it, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment and assault.
The sheriff’s office said the evidence was turned over to the state attorney’s office, but authorities would not provide further information about the results of the investigation.
It was not immediately clear whether Abu Gharbi had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
“This is a very disturbing incident that shook our community and affected many people who were hoping for a safe resolution,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “While the discovery of Zamir Limón’s body is heartbreaking, we want the public to know that our detectives are working tirelessly and relentlessly to uncover the truth. We will continue to follow up on every fact, pursue every lead, and use every tool available to us to hold those responsible fully accountable.”
Body of missing US military student in Japan found
Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said at an April 24 press conference.
Earlier in the day, law enforcement responded to an unrelated domestic incident involving Mr. Abugarbi, and upon arrival, Mr. Abugarbi “barricaded himself in the residence” and refused to comply with orders to leave, the sheriff’s office said. A SWAT team and other specialized units arrived and he was later taken into custody.
The sheriff’s office said Mr. Abugarbi had already been designated as a person of interest because of his relationship with Mr. Limon and Mr. Bristi.
“At this time, the search for Ms. Bristi continues,” the sheriff’s office said, asking anyone with information about her disappearance to contact authorities.
The two were reported missing on April 17th by a family friend who had not heard from them.
According to the USA TODAY Network’s Sarasota Herald Tribune, Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy. Bristi is studying chemical engineering. Authorities have not disclosed the relationship between the two students.
Contributors: Natalie Neysa Alund and Christopher Cann
(This story has been updated to change or add photos and video, and because a previous version contained inaccuracies.)
