Families say complaints made to off-campus housing company were ignored before USF murders
No bond for USF student murder suspect
A man accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students will remain behind bars without bond following a court hearing where he chose not to appear. FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - A man accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students will remain behind bars without bond following a court hearing where he chose not to appear.
Hashim Abugharbieh, 26, waived his right to attend his pretrial detention hearing, where a judge granted the state’s motion to hold him without bond.
While the suspect was absent, friends of the victims sat in the courtroom alongside Hillsborough State Attorney Suzy Lopez.
The backstory:
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27-year-old doctoral students from Bangladesh, were reported missing earlier this month.
Investigators say Limon’s remains were found in a trash bag near the Howard Frankland Bridge last week.
Over the weekend, a second set of remains was discovered in a similar bag in the water near Interstate 275 in St. Petersburg. Authorities have not yet confirmed that identity.
According to court documents, both victims’ blood was found inside an apartment shared by Limon and the suspect, along with discarded belongings and clothing.
Detectives also retraced the movements of the suspect’s vehicle, which led them to Limon’s body.
Investigators say the suspect purchased garbage bags and duct tape days before the victims disappeared and conducted suspicious online searches about disposing of a body.
What they're saying:
Friends who attended the hearing described the victims as kind and close-knit, especially as international students far from home.
"It is a lot to process because, see, when we come here back from 8,000 miles away from home, they are our family or everything here," said Rifatul Islam, a friend of the victims.
Another friend, Salman Sadiq Shuvo, remembered them fondly.
"[Zamil] is a guy with a sweet smile, a very modest and polite boy. [Nahida] is a very lovely girl," he said.
Friends also expressed fear and disbelief over where the killings allegedly happened.
"Something that we are shocked that the place that is our safe place, our home, our own rooms, our own kitchens, they were murdered there," Islam said.
State Attorney Lopez called the case a tragedy.
"Every case is unique in its own way. And so this is just a compounded tragedy with the deaths of two USF students," she said, adding the focus remains on accountability. "Everyone has one common goal and that’s to get justice for these two students," Lopez said.
What did court documents reveal after the arrest?
Newly released court documents are providing deeper insight into the case against Hisham Abugharbieh, the man accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students.
Abugharbieh is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
Court records show Abugharbieh has a history of violence, including prior charges for battery and domestic violence.
Pictured: Hisham Abugharbieh
New details from an arrest report from Friday also describe an incident involving his younger sister.
According to that report, deputies were called after Abugharbieh showed up at his family's home in Lutz unexpectedly and allegedly grabbed his sister and attempted to forcibly kiss her while wearing only a towel.
Complaints and warnings before the killings
Court records and family accounts suggest there were warning signs leading up to the murders.
According to Limon’s brother, complaints had been made to Avalon Heights building management about Abugharbieh’s behavior just weeks before the killings.
"We came to know that both Zamil and his roommate… filed complaints against him just 15 days ago," he said, alleging the suspect had "severe anger issues."
Investigators also note in court documents that the suspect’s own mother told them her son has struggled with anger and had been violent toward family members in the past.
Families demand accountability from housing complex
In a statement, the victims’ families raise serious concerns about safety and oversight at Avalon Heights — the off-campus apartment complex where the students lived.
"We request that the University take appropriate legal action against Avalon Heights," the statement reads in part.
Pictured: Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy
The families question why a roommate was assigned without proper background checks and why residents were not informed of potential concerns.
They also point to security issues, including a lack of sufficient surveillance and protection.
"Even after complaints were made, why was no strong action taken?" the statement asks. "Why was the individual not removed from the residence or handled with proper urgency?"
What you can do:
Investigators say they are still building their case and are asking for the public’s help. Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity or captured video near the Howard Frankland Bridge between 1 and 5 a.m. on April 17 should reach out to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
What's next:
The case is expected to go before a grand jury next month for a formal indictment.
Investigators are still working to identify the second set of remains.
The Source: This article is based on criminal complaints, court records, statements from Limon's family, and information released by law enforcement.