Hisham Abugharbieh, a 26-year-old doctoral student at the University of South Florida, has been charged with two counts of premeditated murder in connection with the deaths of his roommate Zamil Limon and fellow graduate student Nahida Bristy, both 27. Court documents released Sunday reveal that Abugharbieh allegedly used ChatGPT extensively in the days leading up to their disappearance, asking the AI chatbot questions about body disposal, vehicle identification numbers, and firearms regulations.
Background
Limon and Bristy, both pursuing doctoral degrees at the University of South Florida, were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16. The university police department issued missing person alerts as family members grew concerned about their disappearance. Limon's body was subsequently discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge in St. Petersburg. Human remains were found during a search for Bristy on April 27, though authorities have not yet officially identified the remains. Bristy's family told CBS News that police indicated she is also likely deceased.
Abugharbieh served as Limon's roommate at an off-campus residence. The investigation took a dramatic turn when detectives uncovered extensive communication between Abugharbieh and ChatGPT in the days surrounding the victims' disappearance, according to court documents. The case has drawn national attention as the latest example of artificial intelligence tools being allegedly exploited for criminal planning.
The Investigation
According to charging documents, Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT a series of increasingly troubling questions beginning April 13—three days before Limon and Bristy were last seen alive. Among his queries: "What would happen if someone was 'put in a black garbage bag and thrown in dumpster.'" When the AI chatbot responded that such an action sounded dangerous, Abugharbieh allegedly followed up by asking, "How would they find out."
Court documents further reveal that on April 15—the day before the graduate students vanished—Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT whether a vehicle identification number could be changed and whether someone could keep a gun at home without a license. That same evening, his cell phone pinged near the location where Limon's body would later be discovered. Records show he also asked the AI chatbot if vehicles are checked at Hillsborough River State Park.
Abugharbieh was arrested over the weekend and made an initial court appearance Tuesday. He was ordered held without bond. The suspect has not yet entered a plea to the murder charges.
"This is a terrible crime, and our thoughts are with everyone affected," OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, said in a statement to CBS News. "We're looking into these reports and will do whatever we can to support law enforcement in their investigation."
The case follows an April 2025 shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead and several others injured. In that incident, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced his office had launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI after reviewing ChatGPT conversation logs connected to suspect Phoenix Ikner.
"My prosecutors have looked at this and they've told me if it was a person on the other end of that screen, we would be charging them with murder," Uthmeier said during an April 21 news conference, stating the AI tool allegedly offered "significant advice" to Ikner. OpenAI has maintained that ChatGPT did not encourage or promote illegal activity and provided only publicly available information in its responses.
Key Takeaways
- Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, charged with two counts of premeditated murder for deaths of University of South Florida graduate students Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy
- Both victims were 27-year-old doctoral students at USF; both last seen April 16 in Tampa area
- Limon's body found on Howard Frankland Bridge in St. Petersburg; unidentified human remains found during search for Bristy
- Abugharbieh allegedly asked ChatGPT about body disposal, changing VIN numbers, and firearms before the disappearances
- Suspect held without bond following initial court appearance; has not entered a plea
- Case marks latest incident where artificial intelligence tools are alleged to have been used in crime planning
What's Next
Abugharbieh remains in custody without bond as the investigation continues. Authorities await official identification of human remains found during the search for Bristy. The Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office is expected to present evidence—including the ChatGPT conversation logs—to a grand jury in the coming weeks. OpenAI has confirmed it is cooperating with law enforcement and conducting its own internal review of the account associated with Abugharbieh. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for May 12, where prosecutors must demonstrate sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.