A tragic turn in the search for two missing University of South Florida doctoral students has left investigators racing against time and a family devastated by loss.
Zamil Limon, 27, was found dead on the Howard Franklin Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning, according to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office officials. His roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Abugarbieh, has been taken into custody and faces charges of domestic violence, evidence tampering, and failure to report a death to law enforcement.
The arrest came after deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a residence in the Lake Forest Community, a neighbourhood near USF's Tampa campus. Abugarbieh, a U.S.-born citizen, was barricaded inside the home before peacefully surrendering to authorities. The neighbourhood's entrance and exit were temporarily closed during the law enforcement operation.
Limon's cause of death remains pending autopsy results. Authorities have elevated the search status for his colleague, Nahida Bristy, 27, to endangered missing person. Dive teams have been deployed near the Howard Franklin Bridge searching for any trace of Bristy, who has not been seen since April 16.
Family Devastated by Disappearance
Bristy's family has described her as someone who maintained daily contact with relatives—a pattern completely broken by her sudden disappearance. Her older brother, Zahid Pranto, told CBS News that the family is struggling with the uncertainty.
"There has been no single day without contact with her. My family is just devastated," Pranto said.
The two doctoral candidates were last spotted in the Tampa area on April 16, prompting authorities to elevate their status to endangered on Thursday after new information emerged in the investigation. Officials have not disclosed details about what triggered the status change.
Promising Researchers Cut Short
Limon was conducting groundbreaking research on artificial intelligence applications in environmental science and had been scheduled to present his doctoral thesis this week. Bristy was pursuing studies in chemical engineering. Both were engaged in the kind of advanced research that represents the future of innovation in their respective fields.
The case has sent shockwaves through the USF campus and the broader academic community in Florida, raising questions about student safety and the circumstances surrounding the young scholars' disappearance.
Investigators continue their search efforts as the case develops. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
This report is based on information from CBS News, updated April 24, 2026. Read the full original report at CBSNews.com.