Limon and Bristy murders: Suspect Hisham hit with two murder counts, held without bond

A 26-year-old former student at University of South Florida has been charged with two counts of premeditated first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his roommate and the roommate's girlfriend, authorities said.

Hisham Abugharbieh, a US citizen, is accused in the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both doctoral students from Bangladesh studying at the university, says the South China Morning Post.

Limon and Bristy were reported missing earlier in April. Limon's remains were found on the Howard Frankland Bridge on the morning of 24 April, while Bristy remains missing.

Abugharbieh was taken into custody after authorities responded to a domestic violence report at his family's home in North Tampa. Officials said relatives were moved to safety before Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside the residence and refused to exit. He was later apprehended.

In addition to two counts of murder with a weapon, Abugharbieh faces several other charges, including unlawfully moving a dead body, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment, battery and failure to report a death.

During an initial court appearance in Tampa on 25 April, Abugharbieh was ordered held without bond. A follow-up hearing was scheduled for 28 April. Online court records did not list a lawyer for the defendant at the time of reporting.