The towel-wearing suspect who barricaded himself inside a home amid an intense SWAT standoff following the disappearance of two University of South Florida doctoral students was charged Saturday with two counts of murder.
Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, “is additionally facing two counts of murder in the first degree with a weapon (premeditated) in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy,” the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on Saturday.
“Evidence was presented to the State Attorney’s Office, resulting in further charges against Abugharbieh. To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be commenting on the findings in the case,” the sheriff’s office said.
“At this time, the search for Bristy continues,” the update added. “Anyone with information regarding her disappearance is asked to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200.”
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Abugharbieh was initially arrested on Friday on charges of unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body in unapproved conditions, failure to report death to a medical examiner or law enforcement (intent to conceal), tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment and battery.
Authorities discovered human remains near the Howard Frankland Bridge. They were positively identified Friday as belonging to Limon, but the autopsy remains pending.
Bristy has not been found as of Saturday, but the suspect faces two murder counts.
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Abugharbieh was roommates with Limon, who was a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy. Before authorities found his body, Limon hadn’t been seen since April 16.
Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, has not been seen since 10 a.m. on April 16.
After receiving a call to respond to an unrelated domestic violence incident involving Abugharbieh, deputies arrived at his Pine Glen Circle residence shortly after 9 a.m. on April 24. Upon their arrival, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside his home, prompting a standoff that roped in the SWAT team, Bomb Disposal Team, Crisis Negotiations Team and Drone Response Team.
He finally surrendered to authorities at 10:30 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
