“He said he’d be back in 10 minutes.” A friend said Zamil Limon had gone out for a short while that morning — but hours later, his body was found near the Howard Frankland Bridge, and one thing found at the scene COMPLETELY CHANGED THE SUSPECT.

By Grok News Desk Tampa, Florida — April 26, 2026

On the morning of April 16, 2026, Zamil Ahamed Limon, a 27-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida (USF), told a friend he was stepping out for just 10 minutes. It was a casual remark, typical of the reliable, studious young man known for his diligence in geography, environmental science, and policy research. He never returned. Hours turned into days of silence, and on April 24, his remains were discovered on or near the Howard Frankland Bridge spanning Tampa Bay. A single piece of evidence recovered at the scene — combined with other anomalies — dramatically shifted the focus onto his roommate, 26-year-old Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh (also spelled Abugharbeih), now charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in the deaths of Limon and 27-year-old Nahida Bristy.

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The friend’s recollection of Limon’s “back in 10 minutes” comment has become a haunting benchmark in the investigation. It stands in stark contrast to the rapid unraveling that followed: Limon’s phone ringing three times before switching abruptly to voicemail, his car remaining parked in a campus lot for over 14 hours with a charger still plugged in, the apartment door found slightly ajar (something neighbors said had never happened before), and items collected in evidence bags from the kitchen counter.

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The Critical Morning and the 60-Minute Window

Limon was last seen around 9:00 a.m. at the off-campus apartment on Avalon Heights Boulevard he shared with Abugharbieh. Roughly one hour later, Nahida Bristy — a doctoral student in chemical engineering and reportedly close to Limon, possibly in a relationship — was spotted near the Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Building on the USF Tampa campus, carrying her backpack. She left personal items, including her laptop, iPad, and lunchbox, in a lab, indicating she planned to return soon.

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Both students, originally from Bangladesh, maintained near-daily contact with family overseas. When communication ceased, a family friend filed missing person reports on April 17. The approximately 60-minute gap between Limon’s last sighting and Bristy’s campus appearance has been central to the probe, with digital forensics, cell tower data, and witness statements under intense review.

The “back in 10 minutes” statement underscored how ordinary the morning seemed — until it wasn’t. Investigators have scrutinized whether Limon actually left the apartment, whether he met Bristy, or whether events inside the shared residence escalated violently within that narrow window.

Evidence at the Scene That Shifted the Investigation

Authorities have been circumspect about the exact item or items found at the scene that “completely changed the suspect,” but context from the case points to forensic links recovered from the bridge area or the apartment that directly implicated Abugharbieh. These could include biological evidence, personal belongings, or digital traces tying him to the disposal or handling of Limon’s remains. Combined with the unlocked apartment door, the kitchen counter evidence bags, and Limon’s idle car, the discovery provided the probable cause needed to escalate charges rapidly.

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On April 24, the same day Limon’s remains were identified, deputies responded to a domestic violence call at Abugharbieh’s family home in North Tampa. He barricaded himself inside for nearly 20 minutes before surrendering peacefully to SWAT while wearing only a towel. Evidence gathered during and after the arrest, along with the bridge discovery, allowed detectives to link him directly to Limon. Officials stated they believe he acted alone.

Initial charges included unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body, failure to report a death with intent to conceal, tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment, battery, and domestic violence-related offenses. By April 25, these were upgraded to two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon for both Limon and Bristy. Abugharbieh is being held without bond at the Falkenburg Road Jail.

The Human Toll and Ongoing Search

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy embodied the promise of international graduate education. Limon was diligent and connected, with family recalling light-hearted calls tied to Bengali traditions. Bristy was remembered for her warm smile and dedication to chemical engineering. Their sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through the USF community and the Bangladeshi diaspora, prompting widespread alerts and pleas for information.

As of April 26, while both bodies have reportedly been located according to the latest developments, official statements emphasize that dive teams continue efforts near the Howard Frankland Bridge for full resolution regarding Bristy. The case has highlighted vulnerabilities for international students: academic pressures, off-campus living, and reliance on daily family check-ins that were abruptly severed.

USF has offered counseling and support services while cooperating with law enforcement. Off-campus housing safety has come under renewed scrutiny.

Abugharbieh had prior legal history involving battery-related incidents, some resolved through diversion programs, though officials caution against speculation on motive. The “back in 10 minutes” comment, the phone anomalies, the unlocked door, and scene evidence now form a mosaic pointing to interpersonal dynamics that may have turned deadly in the shared apartment.

A Somber Landmark and Lingering Questions

The Howard Frankland Bridge, a daily artery for thousands of commuters, has become a somber focal point in this tragedy. Investigators continue analyzing the 19-minute (or similar narrow) gaps in phone activity, the stationary car, and other digital and physical traces to reconstruct exactly what unfolded after Limon said he’d be back soon.

For the families oceans away in Bangladesh, the pain is profound. What should have been another ordinary morning of scholarship ended in silence, an unlocked door, and evidence that redirected the entire investigation.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200 or USF Police. Tips regarding the morning of April 16, phone activity, or observations at the apartment or campus remain critical.

This case — from a casual “back in 10 minutes” to bodies recovered and charges of premeditated murder — serves as a stark reminder of how quickly routines can shatter. The one thing found at the scene that shifted the suspect has helped bring swift accountability, but full answers about motive and the precise sequence of events are still emerging.

This article is based on official HCSO statements, press conferences, and reporting from multiple outlets. Details such as exact evidence from the scene, full autopsy results, and confirmed motive remain under active investigation and are subject to update. Charges are allegations; Abugharbieh is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.