The body of missing U.S. military student Nahida Bristi has been identified.
A body found in a ditch near a Florida highway has been identified as Nahida Bristi, one of two college students who disappeared in April.
Human remains found in a ditch near a Florida highway have been identified as Nahida Bristi, one of two college students who disappeared in mid-April, officials investigating the case announced on May 1.
Bristi’s body was found April 26 near Interstate 275 and North Fourth Street in St. Petersburg, according to a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office report. Sheriff Chad Chronister confirmed the identity at a May 1 press conference.
Chronister said it took several days for the Pinellas County Coroner’s Office to determine the condition of Bristi, 27.
Bristi was a student at the University of South Florida at the time of her death. Her body was discovered by two kayakers fishing in a mangrove forest near the interstate after one of their fishing lines got caught in her bag. As he approached to remove the thread, he noticed an “indescribable” odor and noticed the bag was open and appeared to contain human remains. The kayakers contacted law enforcement.
“The details of this investigation are gruesome and the actions of the suspects are nothing short of pure evil,” Chronister told reporters. “We don’t know the motive at this time. … We hope we find out.”
Police have charged Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh, 26, with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the April 24 deaths of Bristi and another U.S. military student, Zamir Rimon, 27. Both students were stabbed, authorities said.
The two were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the University Police Department. The next day, a family friend reported her missing.
Limon’s body was found in a black garbage bag on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on April 24, according to a sheriff’s office report. This bridge connects Tampa and St. Petersburg.
The Pinellas County Medical Examiner who performed Limon’s autopsy determined Limon’s cause of death was “multiple sharp trauma,” the USA TODAY Network’s Sarasota Herald Tribune reported.
“They were dedicated students and loyal friends. They were responsible and responsible, so when they missed a meeting, stopped answering the phone, or missed an appointment, their friends would immediately come back with new claims that something was very wrong. What began as a missing persons case ended with the discovery of a colossal crime. Our community is heartbroken and the victim’s family is devastated after this tragic loss,” Chronister said at a May 1 press conference.
“He didn’t show any emotion”
Kronsiter said at a news conference that Abu Gharbi was initially talkative during the interview, but then became “elusive and deceitful” when the topic turned to the victim.
“This is a very calculating person,” Chronister said. “What was concerning was that he was not reactive. … He never showed any emotion.”
Limon was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy, the Sarasota Herald Tribune reported. Bristi was studying chemical engineering. Authorities have not disclosed what kind of relationship existed between the two students.
Who is Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh?
Abu Gharbi was not a student or employee of USF at the time of his murder, but was enrolled in classes at the university from 2021 to 2023, the Herald Tribune reported. A university spokesperson said he was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Court records obtained by the USA TODAY Network show that in the days before the killing, Abu Gharbi had ordered supplies from Amazon, including duct tape and lighter fluid, and was trying to find a way to dispose of the body. He asked ChatGPT what would happen if a human being was “put in a black trash bag and thrown in the trash.”
Police arrested Mr. Abugarbi after he reportedly barricaded himself in Lutz’s parents’ home, about a mile from the university. Authorities responded to the home after receiving a report of a domestic dispute and ultimately took him into custody without causing any injuries.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call 813-974-2628.
Contributor: Michelle Spitzer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Natalie Neisa Alland is a senior reporter at USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her at X @nataliealund.
