Second Body Identified as Nahida Bristy, Repatriation Begins in Florida

Authorities in Florida have officially confirmed that the second body recovered from a waterway is that of Nahida Sultana Bristy, one of the two Bangladeshi doctoral students murdered in the United States.

Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC, Golam Mortoza, confirmed the identification in a WhatsApp message on Friday, noting that local police have already contacted Bristy’s brother. 

Following a family request, the Bangladesh Embassy and the Consulate in Miami have initiated the repatriation process to return her mortal remains to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the body of the other victim, Zamil Ahamed Limon, is scheduled to arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 8:40 am on May 4 via an Emirates flight. 

Limon’s remains were received by a funeral home and will depart from Orlando on May 2, traveling through Dubai. His first namaz-e-janaza was scheduled to take place after Johr prayers this past Thursday at the Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area.

Limon and Bristy, both 27, went missing on April 16. Limon was last seen at his off-campus apartment, which he shared with the primary suspect, 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, and another roommate.

Detectives utilized cellphone location and license plate reader data to track Abugharbieh’s vehicle and Limon’s phone to a bridge where Limon’s body was discovered on April 24. 

According to prosecution reports, Limon had sustained numerous stab wounds and appeared to have been bound. Bristy’s body was recovered two days later, on April 26, from a nearby waterway.

The suspect, Hisham Abugharbieh, was apprehended by a SWAT team at his parents’ residence shortly after the incident. 
Hillsborough County Judge Logan Murphy ordered that Abugharbieh be held without bond and strictly barred him from contacting witnesses or the victims' families.

Court records indicate that Abugharbieh faces two counts of first-degree murder with a weapon, among other charges. 

Under Florida law, he could face the death penalty if convicted, though prosecutors have yet to announce if they will seek capital punishment.

Evidence continues to mount against the suspect. While Abugharbieh initially denied involvement, investigators noted a bandaged pinky finger during questioning. 

Furthermore, a third roommate informed police that Abugharbieh was seen using a cart late on April 16 to move large cardboard boxes from his room to a trash compactor. 

Investigations into the motive and circumstances of the double murder remain ongoing.