TAMPA, Fla. — The brother of the USF student whose remains were found last week says his family wants the highest possible punishment for the suspect. Meanwhile, students are still talking about what happened.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two charges of first-degree murder, among other charges.
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, doctoral students who were in a relationship according to court documents, were last seen on April 16. Limon’s remains were discovered early Friday near the Howard Frankland Bridge. The search continues for Bristy.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that remains were found in the same area where Limon’s remains were found, but they haven’t identified them.
“We are requesting the highest punishment under the law for Hisham Abugharbieh and for anyone else who may be legally connected,” Limon’s brother, Zubaer Ahmed, said Monday.
Meanwhile, it was quiet on the USF campus Monday, but the one thing that students say everyone is talking about is this tragedy. After learning that the suspect in the case is the roommate of one of the victims, it also has people here rethinking their living situations.
“It’s just very unfortunate that they were, like, PhD students, one of them was about to graduate, and yeah, it’s just sad,” said student Shiya Bhagat.
“I was heartbroken honestly, because I know they come here, especially international students, they come here for a better opportunity and sometimes a safer one, and for something like this to happen, so near campus,” said another student, Aarti Korella.
Their apartment near the campus is where police say the incident began. According to an arrest report, Abugharbieh killed both victims in his room at the apartment.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two charges of first-degree murder, among other charges.
Bags of the victims’ belongings were also reportedly dumped from the apartment complex, and some were also reportedly found in Abugharbieh’s room.
In a statement, USF’s president said the school is in contact with the Bangladeshi embassy and consulate general to assist those closest to the students. The president also made it clear that the suspect is not a USF student.
It has a lot of students concerned about nearby housing and roommates who aren’t students.
“I’ve seen people saying they can’t avoid this, there can’t be apartments for only students. But I’ve seen other apartments do that, where you have to be a student in order to be registered there,” Korella said.
The arrest report says the suspect started buying materials linked to the murders more than a week before the students went missing. He also reportedly asked ChatGTP a number of incriminating questions, but investigators said there is still no clear motive.
Abugharbieh is due in court Tuesday morning.