• A 26-year-old man is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
• Victims Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy were doctoral students at the University of South Florida.
• Limon's remains were discovered, while Bristy is still missing.
• The suspect faces additional charges including evidence tampering and domestic violence.
• A SWAT team was involved in his arrest after a domestic violence report.

A 26-year-old man, Hisham Abugharbieh, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his roommate, Zamil Limon, and Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, both doctoral students at the University of South Florida (USF). The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office confirmed the charges were based on evidence leading to Abugharbieh's arrest shortly after Limon's body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on Friday. Bristy remains missing, with authorities suspecting she may have been dismembered based on the volume of blood found at Abugharbieh's residence, according to CBS News and Los Angeles Times.

Abugharbieh, who made his initial court appearance on Saturday and was ordered held without bond, is also charged with additional offenses including tampering with evidence, domestic violence, and failing to report a death to law enforcement. Authorities initially took him into custody at his family's home after responding to a domestic violence call. Following his arrest, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside before surrendering to a SWAT team, as reported by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

The missing student, Nahida Bristy, was last seen on April 16, shortly after Limon, who also lived in the same complex as Abugharbieh. A relative mentioned that the couple was considering marriage. While an autopsy on Limon's remains is expected to provide details on the manner of his death, Bristy's family is still awaiting updates amid ongoing searches for her. "Police told us she is no longer with us," stated Bristy's brother, Zahid Prato, highlighting the family's grief, according to CBS News, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.

Abugharbieh, who previously attended USF from Spring 2021 to Spring 2023, faced other legal issues prior to these charges, including several arrests related to domestic violence. In 2023, a family member extended domestic violence petitions against him, with one resulting in a judge granting an injunction. University officials expressed deep sorrow over Bristy’s death, emphasizing the importance of justice for the victims, as stated in reports from Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.