USF Student Murder Suspect Searched ChatGPT Before Killings

Days before Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy disappeared, their roommate typed a question into ChatGPT: what would happen if a human body was placed in a garbage bag and thrown into a dumpster. When the AI responded that it sounded dangerous, he did not stop. He sent a follow-up message: "How would they find out."

That exchange, recovered from his phone, is now part of the criminal case against Hisham Abugharbieh, who faces two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon in connection with the deaths of both students.

Who Limon and Bristy Were

Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy were both 27 years old, both doctoral students at the University of South Florida, and both originally from Bangladesh. A relative said the two had been considering getting married before they vanished on April 16. They were not just classmates or neighbors. They were building a life together, quietly, inside the structure of graduate school and shared housing.

Limon's body was recovered from black utility trash bags and was in advanced stages of decomposition, according to a motion for pretrial detention filed by prosecutors. His wallet, campus ID badge, credit card, eyeglasses, and clothing with what appeared to be blood were found in a trash compactor at the scene. Remains believed to be Bristy's were found wearing clothing consistent with what she had last been seen in, tied with a similar knot, and stabbed multiple times.

What the Records Showed

In the week leading up to April 16, Abugharbieh placed Amazon orders for duct tape, trash bags, lighter fuel, fire starter, and charcoal. A fake beard was shipped from Amazon and arrived on April 15, one day before Limon and Bristy were last seen. Financial records cited in a criminal affidavit confirmed the purchases.

Sheriff's deputies took Abugharbieh into custody on the same day Limon's body was found. He came out of his residence shirtless, wearing a bath towel around his waist.

What Limon and a Roommate Had Already Done

This is the detail that reframes everything else in the case. Limon and a third roommate had already filed a formal complaint against Abugharbieh after discovering he had a criminal record. The complaint was filed before the two students disappeared. His family is now calling for answers about why a roommate with a known criminal history was assigned to shared student housing without proper background checks.

Abugharbieh had a documented history of violence within his own family. Court records show a prior incident in which he punched his sibling, causing him to fall, and kicked his mother in the back during the same encounter, causing her to fall as well.

His younger brother, Ahmad Abugharbieh, spoke to CBS News after the arrest. "My entire family feels so much shame and guilt," he said.

What Followed

USF President Moez Limayem announced a vigil for Limon and Bristy, and confirmed the university would hold a remembrance during commencement ceremonies. A private fund was started to support both students' families.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the state's criminal investigation into OpenAI, the parent company behind ChatGPT, was being expanded to include the killings of Limon and Bristy. Abugharbieh remains charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon, along with additional charges, and a court hearing has been set to proceed with the case.