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The remains of one of the two missing University of South Florida doctoral students were discovered by investigators Friday and his roommate was taken into custody, authorities said.
Joseph Maurer, of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters that investigators found the remains of Zamil Limon on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Friday morning. Investigators have been searching for Limon and fellow USF doctoral student Nahida Bristy since they went missing on April 16.
In these photos released by the University of South Florida Police Department, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy are shown.
University of South Florida Police Department
“We are still actively searching for Nahida,” he told reporters during a news conference Friday.
Maurer said investigators received a 911 call for a domestic violence disturbance around 9 a.m. at a residence where Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, had barricaded himself.
Abugharbieh was previously interviewed by police during their investigation into the disappearances, Mauer said.
Following a brief standoff, the suspect surrendered, Maurer said.
In this booking photo released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hisham Abugharbieh is shown.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Abugharbieh is being charged with several counts, including tampering with evidence, failure to report death and domestic violence, according to Maurer.
The cause of Limon’s death is being determined, Maurer said. He had no further details about Bristy’s condition.
Limon and Bristy, both 27, were last seen at separate locations in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the USF Police Department.
On Thursday, officials received new information to warrant upgrading their status from missing to endangered, which indicates they are at risk of physical injury or death, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
A Hillsbourough County Sheriff’s Office vehicle is shown at the scene as law enforcement responds to a barricaded subject connected to the missing USF students in the Lake Forest Community near Bruce B Downs Boulevard and Lake Forest Drive. The situation has been resolved. One individual is in custody.
Hillsbourough County Sheriff’s Office
The sheriff did not provide any more details about the investigation or search efforts.
Limon and Bristy are friends, and a mutual acquaintance reported them missing, campus police said.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officer distributes a flyer as they try to locate Nahida Bristy, 27, and Zamil Limon, 27.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Limon, who was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen at his Tampa residence at approximately 9 a.m. on April 16, according to police.
Bristy, who is studying chemical engineering, was last seen at the USF Tampa campus at the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building at approximately 10 a.m. that day, police said.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officer distributes a flyer as they try to locate Nahida Bristy, 27, and Zamil Limon, 27.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to call the University of South Florida Police Department at 813-974-2628.
-ABC News’ Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.
