The remains of missing Bangladeshi PhD student Nahida Sultana Bristy from the University of South Florida (USF) have been officially identified through DNA analysis and dental records. Chad Chronister, Sheriff of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, confirmed the
development during a press conference, where he also stated that the accused, Hisham Abugharbieh, showed a “callous” and “remorseless” attitude when confronted with the evidence. Investigators said the remains were discovered by two kayakers who were
fishing when their line became entangled with a suspicious bag in the water. Upon approaching, they noticed a strong odour and discovered what appeared to be human remains inside a plastic bag, prompting them to alert authorities.
Authorities previously recovered the body of Jamil Ahmed Limon on April 24 near the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay. Two days later, on April 26, another body was found in a black trash bag south of the bridge. It has now been officially confirmed to be Bristy. Both victims were last seen alive on April 16.
The suspect, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, has not made any formal confession. Investigators stated that he stopped cooperating after the case was upgraded from a missing persons investigation to an endangered persons case on April 23. Earlier in the investigation, he gave conflicting statements, at one point claiming he had dropped Bristy and Limon off in
Clearwater. However, digital and physical evidence later contradicted his account. According to court records, he has not yet entered a plea against the two counts of first-degree premeditated murder.
Although there is no direct confession, prosecutors say the circumstantial and physical evidence against him is substantial. Surveillance footage and GPS data indicate that Abugharbieh’s vehicle travelled across the Howard Frankland Bridge six times in the early
hours of April 17—the same location where Limon’s body was later found.
Among the most disturbing findings, investigators reported that searches were conducted on the suspect’s phone related to disposing of a body and burial depth. Significant blood evidence was found in his bedroom, and personal belongings of both victims—including identification cards and a phone case—were recovered from his residence and nearby dumpsters. Authorities also revealed that before the killings, he had purchased items such as duct tape, trash bags, lighter fluid, and fire starters, and later ordered cleaning supplies, including trash bags, Lysol wipes, and Febreze through a delivery service.
A judge has ordered that Abugharbieh be held without bond pending trial, citing that his release would pose a serious threat to public safety.
Following the confirmation of Bristy’s remains, a new wave of grief has swept through her family and the Bangladeshi community. Her brother was officially notified by Florida law enforcement authorities. The family has requested that her body be repatriated to Bangladesh, and officials confirmed that the process is being initiated through the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C., and the Bangladesh Consulate in Miami.
Meanwhile, the body of Jamil Ahmed Limon is expected to arrive in Dhaka on May 4 via Dubai.
The tragic deaths of the two promising Bangladeshi researchers have deeply shaken the global Bangladeshi community. Legal proceedings are ongoing, as a grieving nation awaits justice.
