The search for missing University of South Florida graduate student Zamil Limon came to a tragic end Friday morning when detectives discovered his remains near the Howard Frankland Bridge.
The discovery followed a SWAT standoff in a residential neighborhood that ended with the arrest of Limon’s roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh.
The investigation, which began as a missing persons case involving both Limon and 27-year-old Nahida Bristy, shifted gears Friday when deputies were called to the 14000 block of Pine Glen Circle.
While the initial call at 9:09 a.m. involved an unrelated domestic violence report, deputies quickly identified Abugharbieh as a person of interest in the students’ disappearance.
The situation escalated when Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside the home, prompting a massive response from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) SWAT, Crisis Negotiations, and Bomb Disposal teams. After nearly 90 minutes of negotiations and a refusal to follow commands, specialized units took him into custody at approximately 10:30 a.m.
Abugharbieh now faces a string of serious charges, including false imprisonment, battery, tampering with physical evidence, and failure to report a death with intent to conceal. He is also charged with unlawfully moving or holding a dead body.
While the arrest marks a major development, the case remains active as authorities continue to search for Nahida Bristy.
“This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and impacted many who were hoping for a safe resolution,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. He emphasized that detectives are working “tirelessly and relentlessly” to uncover the full truth of what happened to both students.
The University of South Florida community has been on edge since the pair went missing, and USF Police Chief Chris Daniel thanked local law enforcement for their “unwavering commitment” throughout the multi-jurisdictional effort.
The Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine Limon’s exact cause of death. Meanwhile, the Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Nahida Bristy to contact them at (813) 247-8200.
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