Investigators discovered the remains of a missing University of South Florida doctoral student Friday and his roommate has been taken into custody, authorities said.
Joseph Maurer, of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, told reporters that investigators found the remains of Zamil Lemon on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa on Friday morning. Investigators have been searching for Lemon and fellow University of South Florida doctoral student Nahida Bristi since they disappeared on April 16.
In these photos published by the University of South Florida Police Department, Zamil Laymoun and Nahida Bristi appear.
University of South Florida Police Department
“We are still actively searching for Nahida,” he told reporters during a press conference on Friday.
Maurer said investigators received a 911 call about a domestic violence disturbance around 9 a.m. at a home where Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh, had barricaded himself.
Maor said that police had previously interrogated Abu Gharbiyeh, 26, while investigating the disappearances.
Map of USF missing students
Map tiles by Google Earth
After a short confrontation, the suspect surrendered, Maurer said. He was seen leaving the house carrying nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.
In this image taken from a drone video, Hisham Abu Gharbiyeh leaves the house and surrenders himself to the police.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Abu Gharbiyeh was charged with unlawful detention or transport of a human corpse under unconsented circumstances, failure to report the death to the coroner or law enforcement (intent to conceal), tampering with physical evidence, false imprisonment and battery, the sheriff’s office said.
In this booking photo released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Hisham Abu Gharbia is shown.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Maurer said Lemon’s cause of death is being determined. He had no further details about Presti’s condition.
Lemon and Presti, both 27, were last seen at two separate locations in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the USF Police Department.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said officials received new information Thursday to justify raising their status from “missing” to “endangered,” indicating they are at risk of physical injury or death.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office vehicle is seen at the scene as law enforcement responds to a trapped person connected to missing University of South Florida students in the Lake Forest community near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Lake Forest Drive. The situation has been resolved. There is one individual in custody.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Al-Sharif did not provide any other details about the investigation or research efforts.
Campus police said Lemon and Presti are friends, and a mutual acquaintance reported them missing.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officer distributes a flyer as they attempt to locate Nahida Bristi, 27, and Zamel Lemon, 27.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Lemon, who was pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and politics, was last seen at his Tampa residence at about 9 a.m. on April 16, according to police.
Presti, who is studying chemical engineering, was last seen at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus at Natural University & at the Environmental Sciences Building at about 10 a.m. that day, police said.
A Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office officer distributes a flyer as they attempt to locate Nahida Bristi, 27, and Zamel Lemon, 27.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the University of South Florida Police Department at 813-974-2628.
— ABC News’ Meredith DeLiso contributed to this report.
