Second Body Recovered Near Tampa Bridge Where USF Student Was Found Dead, Mystery Deepens

Authorities have recovered another body on April 26 in waters near the Howard Frankland Bridge, the same area where a missing University of South Florida student was found earlier. The remains have not been identified; however, the search continues for a missing student, too.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a body was discovered in a waterway within the active search zone. This comes after the body of a 27-year-old USF graduate student, Zamil Limon, was found on April 24 in the same area.

According to the New York Post, investigators are still looking for Limon’s girlfriend, Nahida Bristry, 27, who is currently missing. On April 27, officials said that a body found recently has no connection to Bristry.

On April 20, authorities asked the public to come forward with any information that could help in the case. They are also seeking dashcam footage or tips from anyone who traveled across the Howard Frankland Bridge between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on April 17.

The case has taken a sharp turn with the arrest of Limon’s roommate, Hisham Sleh Abugharbeih. He was taken into custody on Friday and faces several charges tied to Limon’s death.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said Abugharbeih is charged with failure to report a death and unlawfully moving a body. He also faces charges of domestic violence, battery, false imprisonment and tampering with evidence.

Before turning himself in, Abugharbein reportedly barricaded himself inside a Tampa home. SWAT teams surrounded the area before he surrendered, as per the local reports.

Limon was a doctoral student studying geography, environmental science, and policy, and was last seen on April 16 at 9 a.m. at his apartment building. Bristy, on the other hand, was a chemical engineering student, and was last seen at the university’s Natural and Environmental Sciences building.

The couple had been reported missing by a friend after both stopped responding to calls and messages. Investigators, however, later found that their phones had been turned off too.

Officials have earlier described the couple as “endangered,” though they did not have much explanation at the time. Authorities said the investigation is still going on. They are working with the medical examiner’s office to identify the second body and find out the connection, if there’s any.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has also issued a message asking anyone with information to contact them.