Authorities Recover Remains of USF Graduate Student, Arrest Roommate
New reports confirm the discovery of human remains identified as Zamil Limon, a 27-year-old University of South Florida doctoral student, found under the Howard Frankland Bridge connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg. The recovery was announced Friday by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office amid an intense search for Limon’s missing roommate, Nahida Bristy, also a 27-year-old international doctoral student from Bangladesh.
Hisham Abu Gharbieh, 26, identified as Limon’s roommate, was arrested in connection with the investigation, law enforcement officials confirmed. The case has gripped the Tampa community since the students vanished April 16, raising urgent concerns for Bristy’s safety as she remains missing.
Timeline and Ongoing Investigation
Limon, pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science, and policy, was last seen at his home at approximately 9 a.m. ET on April 16. Bristy, a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering, was last confirmed at the university’s Natural and Environmental Sciences building close to 10 a.m. ET on the same day. Phone records indicate Bristy spoke with her family shortly after noon that day, reporting a busy work schedule and no signs of trouble.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office escalated the students’ case to endangered status after days of searching. On Thursday, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office searched Sand Key Park near Clearwater Beach for potential evidence linked to Bristy’s disappearance. The investigation intensified Friday when law enforcement closed part of a north Tampa neighborhood near the USF campus and detained a barricaded individual connected to the case.
Additionally, two lanes of the Howard Frankland Bridge were shut down Friday while officers gathered evidence tied to the investigation. This evidence is currently being processed at a Sheriff’s Office facility in St. Petersburg, signaling a developing breakthrough.
Family and Campus Community React
“He was scheduled to submit his thesis paper the day after he went missing, which makes this situation extremely unusual for us,” said Zubaer Ahmed, Limon’s brother, highlighting his sibling’s responsible nature and academic dedication.
Bristry’s family also voiced deep concern. Her brother, Zahid Hasan Pranto, said she missed both a class and a planned shopping outing after their last phone call, leaving behind important belongings including her purse and phone at the campus laboratory.
Both students hail from Bangladesh and came to USF seeking advanced degrees. The case continues to draw national attention, underscoring the vulnerabilities of international students studying far from home.
What’s Next?
Officials confirm the investigation remains active with further updates expected as new information emerges. With one student’s remains found and a suspect in custody, the immediate focus is now on locating Nahida Bristy and clarifying the circumstances surrounding both disappearances.
The SC Journal will continue to monitor this developing story and provide urgent updates as they become available.
