Home
+
Published : 29 Apr 2026, 01:07 AM
The families of two Bangladeshi students murdered at the University of South Florida (USF) are demanding justice as chilling details emerge about the suspect Hisham Abugharbieh, who was described by victims' relatives and even his own brother as a "violent psychopath".
Zamil Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Bristy, both PhD students at USF, had been missing since Apr 16.
On Friday, police recovered Limon’s body stuffed inside a black bag near the Howard Frankland Bridge.
While Bristy remains missing, police informed her family that she was also killed.
On Monday, human remains were found in a local pond, though the medical examiner has yet to confirm if they belong to her.
Limon’s younger brother Zubaer Ahmed told local media from Dhaka that Limon had expressed deep discomfort regarding his roommate Hisham.
"My brother just recently moved there, and he often said that he was, like, kind of unpleasant, un-social, and he is kind of psychopath, but my brother is not sure," Zubaer said.
Recalling the moment they heard the news, he added, "That night was the darkest and longest night for me. I didn’t see my parents crying so loud, and so child - like a child."
The suspect’s brother Ahmad Abugharbieh also spoke out against his sibling.
In an interview with Tampa Bay 28, Ahmad admitted that he never felt safe around Hisham.
"I never put it past him... At 18 something happened to him, and he just started turning very violent," Ahmad said, adding that seeing the victims' families in pain has left him devastated.
Bristy’s younger brother Zahid Pranto described the ordeal as an "unending nightmare", saying his parents are struggling to cope with the unimaginable loss.
Limon and Bristy were close friends and hardworking scholars known for their kindness and ambition.
In a joint statement on Sunday, both families urged USF to remain active in monitoring the court proceedings and provide legal and financial support.
They also requested that the bodies of Limon and Bristy, once recovered, be buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
The families asked that all personal belongings be returned to Bangladesh exactly as they were found, and that any remaining bank balances, scholarships or salary payments be transferred to their respective families.
They have also called for a memorial to be established on the USF campus in honour of the two students.
In response, university authorities pledged continued support for the families and the student community.
Demanding the maximum sentence for Hisham, Zubaer said: "Their lives matter, and their family deserves answer justice, dignity, and, accountability."
