Tampa resident Hisham Abugharbieh was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. Limon's body was found Friday, and authorities discovered additional human remains Sunday while searching for Bristy.

Both sets of remains were found on or near the Howard Frankland Bridge, which spans a portion of Tampa Bay. The remains found Sunday have not yet been identified. Limon and Bristy were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the University of South Florida Police Department.

Hisham Abugharbieh was taken into custody Friday by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office deputies while wearing only a towel and with his hands raised. According to an arrest report, he was found in the living room playing video games while wearing only a towel when his younger sister confronted him. He is due in court Tuesday and is being held without bond. State Attorney Suzy Lopez said, "Our hearts are with both students' families during this incredibly difficult time, and we are keeping them in our thoughts as they await answers."

Ahmad Abugharbieh, a relative, said the family had attempted to alert authorities about Hisham Abugharbieh before the deaths. "We tried to warn police in the past," he said. According to court records, the family filed a protective order against Hisham Abugharbieh in 2023 that was granted and another in 2025 that was denied. A judge denied the 2025 protective order because the related battery criminal charges were not pursued.

According to the 2023 protective order, Hisham Abugharbieh repeatedly punched Ahmad Abugharbieh in the head, ripped his shirt, made him bleed, and gave him bruises on his face. The order also stated that Hisham Abugharbieh tore up the living room after a short argument with his mother, tried to escape in the family minivan but returned after it failed to work, and screamed in the middle of the night that he is God and that his family should bow down to him.

Abugharbieh said he later withdrew the related charges. "I dropped them because I thought it was going to cost me a lot of money. I regretted that choice immediately after," he said.