A 26-year-old man made his first court appearance after being charged with the premeditated murder of two University of South Florida doctoral students.
Hisham Abugharbieh was shackled and wearing a protective gown when he appeared in front of a Tampa judge Saturday. Hillsborough County deputies arrested him Friday after he came out of his residence shirtless and wrapped in a bath towel. He is facing two counts of first‑degree murder with a weapon in the deaths of doctoral students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy.
A close friend of the pair said Limon had raised concerns about his roommate in the past, describing erratic behavior. In a 2023 protective order obtained by CBS News, Abugharbieh’s brother alleged he would scream in the night about being God and demand others bow down.
Police said Limon’s remains were found Friday on a nearby bridge. Detectives told Bristy’s family they believe she is likely dead based on crime‑scene evidence, but her body may never be recovered. Bristy’s brother said the family’s home is broken.
The Sheriff’s Office said officers continue searching for Bristy. Abugharbieh was detained after a dramatic arrest eight days after the students were first reported missing and is due back in court on Tuesday. Cristian Benavides reported the developments; Jericka Duncan read the update on CBS.