Days Before 2 Fla. Students Vanished, the Man Now Charged with Murder Allegedly Asked Chilling ChatGPT Questions
Court documents reveal what led investigators to Hisham Abugharbieh in connection with the disappearances of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy
Credit: University of South Florida Police Department (2); Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
NEED TO KNOW
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The investigation into Zamil Limon's death and Nahida Brity's disappearance continues 10 days since they both vanished
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Limon's roommate Hisham Abugharbieh allegedly asked disturbing questions to ChatGPT before and after the students disappeared, court documents allege
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Bristy hasn't been found, but authorities have charged Abugharbieh with two counts of murder in connection with the students' disappearances
Florida authorities have released new details about the days leading up to the disappearances of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy .
Limon and Bristy, 27-year-old doctoral students at the University of South Florida, were reported missing from Tampa, Fla., on April 17. On Friday, April 24, Hillsborough County officials announced they'd recovered Limon's body on a bridge.
The same day, authorities arrested Limon's roommate , 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, in connection with the disappearances.
Court documents released since then detail Abugharbieh's alleged phone activity in the days leading up to the disappearances — including ordering cleaning supplies and duct tape and asking ominous questions on ChatGPT.
In a criminal report affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, authorities allege that on April 7, more than a week before Limon and Bristy would be reported missing, Abugharbieh ordered duct tape from Amazon.
On April 13, four days before Limon and Bristy disappeared, authorities allege Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT: "What happens if a human has a put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster [sic]," per the affidavit.
On April 19, two days after the students were reported missing, investigators allege Abugharbieh asked ChatGPT: "Is there a water temperature that burns immediately."
On Thursday, April 23, immediately as the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced that authorities considered Limon and Bristy to be "endangered ," Abugharbieh allegedly asked ChatGPT "What does missing endangered adult mean," per the affidavit.
Other alleged questions included whether people survive sniper bullets and whether Apple can detect if a new user is operating an iPhone.
Credit: Zamil Limon/Facebook; Nahida S. Bristy/Facebook
Bristy's whereabouts are unknown. On Sunday evening, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office announced that authorities had found human remains in the same location where Limon’s body was discovered, but did not identify whom they belonged to; the remains were sent to the coroner’s office for identification.
In a joint statement , Limon and Bristy's families, who are home in their native Bangladesh, have called for legal action against the university housing facility where Limon had been assigned to room with Abugharbieh, and for their belongings and financial assets to be returned to their families.
PEOPLE has reached out to the University of South Florida for comment.
Credit: Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office
Abugharbieh has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder; tampering with evidence; unlawfully holding or removing a dead human body in an unapproved condition; domestic violence - simple battery; domestic violence - false imprisonment; and failure to report a death, per the sheriff's office.
He has not entered pleas, online court records show, and his attorney declined to comment when contacted by PEOPLE.
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