TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A man accused of killing two University of South Florida students from Bangladesh will face the death penalty if convicted, prosecutors indicated Friday.
The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office filed a notice to seek the death penalty a day after a grand jury indicted Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, on two counts of first-degree murder and several other charges.
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27-year-old doctoral students from Bangladesh, disappeared April 16. Limon was last seen at the off-campus apartment complex where he lived with Abugharbieh, and Bristy at a campus science building.
Abugharbieh was arrested about a week later and has remained in jail. Jennifer Spradley, an attorney in the public defender’s office in Tampa, has said the office wouldn’t comment on Abugharbieh’s case.
Detectives used cellphone location and license plate reader data to track Abugharbieh’s car and Limon’s phone to the bridge where Limon’s body was found on April 24. Limon had numerous stab wounds and appeared to be bound, according to a report filed by prosecutors. A kayaker found Bristy's body in nearby water two days later.
When detectives questioned Abugharbieh and another roommate several days after the victims went missing, investigators noticed Abugharbieh’s pinky finger was bandaged, but he denied any involvement with Limon’s disappearance, according to prosecutors.
During an interview with investigators, the suspect’s mother, Haya Abugharbieh, said her son had struggled to manage his anger and had been violent to family members in the past.
When an apartment manager gave investigators access to the apartment, and to Limon’s locked bedroom, the third roommate told detectives Abugharbieh had used a cart overnight on April 16 to move cardboard boxes from his room to the trash compactor. That’s where detectives found Limon’s wallet and campus ID badge, credit card, eyeglasses and clothes that appeared to have blood on them.
Returning with a search warrant, detectives found blood residue leading from the kitchen to Abugharbieh’s bedroom, and more blood that soaked his bedroom carpet. In Limon’s bedroom, they found Bristy’s campus ID and credit cards.
Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office join an investigation inside the Lake Forest subdivision of Tampa, Fla., on Friday, April 24, 2026, where authorities said a man was taken into custody after barricading himself inside a home, in connection to the search for two missing University of South Florida graduate students. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
Hisham Abugharbieh, facing two counts of first-degree murder appears in court via video on Saturday, April 25, 2026 in Tampa, Fla. (WFTS-TV via AP)
Notable reaction to the death of former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox:
“We are overcome with emotion on the passing of Bobby Cox, our treasured skipper. Bobby was the best manager to ever wear a Braves uniform. He led our team to 14 straight division titles, five National League pennants, and the unforgettable World Series title in 1995. His Braves managerial legacy will never be matched.” — The Atlanta Braves
“I never wanted to go anywhere else; I wanted to play for Bobby.” — Hall of Fame pitcher and current Fox analyst John Smoltz
“I remember ’99 when we lost the World Series to the Yankees. I mean, to a man, everybody in the room felt like we let Bobby down. That’s how we felt. And that’s powerful, you know, and that doesn’t just happen in professional sports. But that just goes to show how guys felt about Bobby. We, to a man, we felt like we let him down.” — Braves manager Walt Weiss
“My favorite memory of Bobby is 2017 spring training. Charlie was 6 months old. … To see Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, the joy on his face when he saw my 6-month-old son, that’s stuff I will never forget. Him and Pam just, like, loving on Charlie while he was in the stroller, those are the fond memories I have.” — Former Braves and current Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman
“Skip — thank you for helping shape me as a coach and as an MLB manager. Your guidance and belief in me will always mean a lot. Thank you for the time You took in helping me make my transition from player to coach. And I ended up loving cigars after all (smiley face emoji). Much respect always.” — Ozzie Guillen, who played two seasons with Atlanta and won a World Series title managing the White Sox in 2005, on X
“Bobby Cox led one of the greatest eras of sustained excellence in baseball history. As manager of the Braves, his clubs became an October fixture, representing consistency, professionalism, and championship-caliber baseball for an entire generation of fans. Through his leadership, eye for talent, and commitment to player development, Bobby helped shape the careers of numerous Hall of Famers and guided the Braves to Atlanta’s first major professional sports championship in 1995.
“On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, the Braves organization, the many players and coaches whose lives he impacted throughout his 29-year managerial career, and Braves fans everywhere.” — MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
“We are saddened to learn about the passing of former Blue Jays Manager Bobby Cox. Before tonight’s game, we held a moment of silence to remember one of the game’s greats. Bobby managed us to our first division title in 1985, also winning Manager of the Year that year. Our thoughts are with his family and the Braves organization.” — The Toronto Blue Jays on X
“The Yankees join the baseball community in mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Bobby Cox. We offer our deepest condolences to Bobby’s family, friends and loved ones.” — The New York Yankees on X
“Over 29 seasons as a big league manager, Bobby Cox earned loyalty and respect from his players with his steady hand and passionate heart.” — National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
“Thank you for everything you meant to Atlanta, Skip.” — The Atlanta Falcons on X
“Atlanta has lost a true icon in Bobby Cox. His leadership helped define one of the most successful eras not only for the Atlanta Braves, but for the city's sports identity. Known for guiding the club through a historic run that included a World Series title and sustained excellence, his influence will be felt for generations. Our thoughts are with his family and with the entire baseball community as we remember a figure who meant so much to the City of Atlanta.” — Atlanta United FC on X
“Georgia and Braves Country have lost a true legend today with the passing of Bobby Cox. Shepherding the Braves for over 20 years, he led the franchise to 14 straight division crowns and a World Series title during his second stint, solidifying him in the hearts of generations of fans as the beloved manager we will all remember.” — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on X
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB
FILE - Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, left, looks on with Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, before a spring training baseball game against the Florida Marlins on March 23, 2011 in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
FILE - Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox signs autographs for fans prior to the start of the spring training game with the New York Mets on March 27, 2003 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Tony Ranze, File)
FILE - Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox smiles while smoking a cigar in the dugout with his coaching staff before the start of workouts Feb. 22, 2004, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette, File)
FILE - Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox is honored during a ceremony before a baseball game between the Braves and the San Diego Padres in Atlanta, April 14, 2017. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
