Brother of suspect in deaths of 2 Tampa doctoral students: "We tried to warn police in the past"
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, faces two first-degree murder charges in the deaths of his roommates, 27-year-olds Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, with remains found near the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay.
- Ahmad Abugharbieh, Hisham's younger brother, told CBS News the family had warned police about Hisham's erratic and violent behavior, including past protective orders and calls to police.
- The family had filed two protective orders against Hisham, one granted in 2023 and another denied in 2025, with Ahmad expressing regret for not pursuing battery charges earlier due to financial reasons.
- Hisham was taken into custody in a dramatic arrest while wearing only a towel, and he remains held without bond, with legal representatives emphasizing his right to a fair trial.
- The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office described Hisham as a danger to the community and expressed sympathy for the victims' families, while the Sheriff's Office declined to comment.
