TAMPA, Fla. — Court documents provide more details on the days leading up to the arrest of a man for the murder of two USF grad students.
Hisham Abugharbieh faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder in the deaths of Zamil Ahamed Limon and Nahida Sultana Bristy. Investigators allege both victims were killed inside Abugharbieh’s apartment. Ultimately, Limon's body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge on Friday.
According to Hillsborough County court documents for a motion of pretrial detention, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detectives interviewed both of Limon's roommates and saw Abugharbieh had a cut on his hand, which he said was from cutting onions.
Court documents show detectives also used a vehicle tag reader, which showed Abugharbieh's car was seen driving on the Courtney Campbell Causeway on April 16 at the same time Limon's phone pinged in the area.
Detectives also found silver pieces of duct tape in the trash can of the residence that had blood on it.
On April 23, detectives made contact with Abugharbieh's mother, who told detectives her son "struggled with managing his anger and was violent with family in the past," court documents said.
Detectives collected Abugharbieh's phone and found a search history, which included:
- April 7: Duct tape order from Amazon
- April 11: Fire starter, charcoal, trash bags, lighter fuel
- April 13: ChatGPT message "What happens if a human has a put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster." (chat gpt answers that sounds dangerous) "How would they find out"
- April 15: ChatGPT message "Can a car VIN number be change?"
Read the full court document:
Motion for Pretrial Detention by Tampa Bay 28
WATCH: Court documents detail timeline and evidence in USF student double homicide case
The medical examiner found Limon had multiple lacerations and stab wounds, and his remains were in an advanced stage of decomposition. His death was ruled a homicide.
Prosecutors argue no conditions of release can ensure public safety or guarantee Abugharbieh’s appearance in court. A judge will decide whether he will remain in jail until trial, where he faces the possibility of a capital sentence if convicted.
USF released a statement about Limon and Bristy. It says, in part, "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. We extend our deepest condolences to their families, friends, and all who are mourning. This loss has deeply affected our entire university community, and we are committed to honoring their memory through care, respect, and meaningful action. We are grateful to the families for sharing their requests. We have listened carefully, and we respond with sincerity and a commitment to support them in every way we can."
As the search continues for Bristy, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said they recovered human remains from the waterways in the area of I-275 and 4th Street North. But said, "positive identification of the remains has not been determined at this time, as the body is in the possession of the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office."
Tampa Bay 28 was at the scene Sunday and saw numerous law enforcement officers and the forensics team on site. Hillsborough County State Attorney Susie Lopez was also seen talking with investigators.
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