The prosecution has announced that it will seek the death penalty against Hisham Abugharbieh, the man accused of killing two Bangladeshi PhD students, Jamil Limon and Nahida Brishti, in Tampa, United States. During a hearing held Monday, May 18, at the Hillsborough County Circuit Court, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez informed the court that prosecutors intend to pursue capital punishment in the case. Through his attorney, Hisham Abugharbieh entered “not guilty” pleas to all seven charges brought by the grand jury.
The two victims, Jamil Limon and Nahida Brishti, were both doctoral researchers at University of South Florida and lived in the Tampa area.
According to investigators, the killings took place on April 16, 2026. The bodies of the two doctoral students were later discovered in the Tampa Bay area, both placed inside garbage bags.
Jamil Limon’s body was found on the Howard Frankland Bridge. Nahida Brishti’s body was discovered by a kayaker in the water near Interstate 275 and 4th Street North in nearby St. Petersburg, just south of where Limon’s body was recovered. The case has sparked widespread discussion within Florida’s Bangladeshi community and academic circles.
Chad Chronister, Sheriff of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, described the killings as “pure evil.” Investigators said evidence suggests the suspect had been gathering materials days before the murders.
According to court documents, the accused ordered duct tape online on April 7. On April 11, he allegedly purchased charcoal, fire starters, lighter fluid, and heavy-duty trash bags. Investigators also claim that on April 13, he searched OpenAI’s ChatGPT for information related to concealing a human body and violence. Court records further state that a fake beard was delivered to him on April 15, one day before the killings.
Investigators believe these activities could serve as important evidence indicating that the murders may have been premeditated.
The judge in Hillsborough County has tentatively scheduled the trial to begin on November 3, 2027. The next status conference in the case is set for December 10, 2026. The accused is currently being held without bond in the Hillsborough County Jail.
The incident has deeply shocked the Bangladeshi community in the United States. Community leaders have expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for a swift and transparent judicial process.
