Crime Stories with Nancy Grace - Roommate Arrested for Disappearance of Two USF Doctoral Students | Crime Alert 04.27.26

Episode Date: April 27, 2026

Authorities are desperately searching for a missing USF student after finding the remains of her friend, stabbed to death by his roommate. Washington sheriff's deputies bewildered by car thieves' attempts to halt police pursuit. Sydney Silvagni reports. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. Crime Alert, hourly update. Breaking Crime News now. I'm Sidney. A community in Tampa is reeling after the disappearance of two University of South Florida doctoral students took a devastating turn. Authorities confirmed Friday that one of the students has been found dead,

and a suspect who was a roommate of one of the victims, is now behind bars. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says the, The investigation reached a critical point Friday afternoon when SWAT teams were called to a neighborhood near the university. Sheriff Chad Kronister held a somber press conference to deliver the news that no family ever wants to hear. We are here today as our community has been shaken by the disappearance of two USF grad students, Nahita and Zameel. I am heartbroken to announce the discovery of human remains discovered on the high. Howard Franklin Bridge earlier this morning. Just now, those remains were positively identified to Zameel. Zemil Lehman, 27, was an international student from Bangladesh, pursuing a degree

in geography and environmental science. He was last seen on the morning of April 16th. His friend and fellow doctoral student, 27-year-old Nehita Bristie, also vanished that same day. While Limon has been found, the search for Bristie continues with increased. urgency. The breakthrough in the case came Friday morning when deputies responded to a domestic violence call at a home in the Lake Forest community. The suspect inside was identified as 26-year-old Hisham Abu Garbier, who lived at the residence with Lehman. When deputies arrived, Abu Garbier barricaded himself inside, leading to a tent standoff. Commands were continued to give to the suspect. He did not respond, nor did he come out. At that time, SWAT was activated.

SWAT responded, and at approximately 1036 a.m., SWAT arrived on scene. SWAT then mobilized and commanded the suspect to come out of the residents. After nearly 20 minutes of refusing to cooperate, Abu Garbié surrendered peacefully. He now faces a laundry list of charges, including domestic violence simple battery, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, and the unlawful movement of a human body. Sheriff Kronister clarified the relationship between the three individuals, noting that while Abu Garbier and Lehman were roommates, Bristie lived on the USF campus. So the suspect Hisham was a roommate of Zameel, so that is where the connection lies.

Nahita did not live on that property. Nahita lived on USF campus. So the connection is that the suspect Hisham and Zameel were roommates. The motive for Lehman's death remains unclear as an autopsy is performed. but investigators believe Abu Garbier acted alone. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking for Nahita Bristie. Her brother says the family was in contact with her daily in the silence since April 16th has been agonizing.

We are still actively searching for Nahita. And again, I implore the community. If you have any tips of where you've seen her or she's just recently seen, please report it to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office immediately so we can recover her to safety. Anyone with information is urged to call the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office at 813-247-8200. More crime and justice news after this. A bizarre and dangerous scene unfolded in Pierce County, Washington during a high-speed pursuit

that saw a suspect using power tools as weapons. It began near midnight on April 19th when a stolen vehicle was spotted by a canine deputy. The driver took off, leading police on a chase onto Interstate 5. reaching speeds of 70 miles per hour. As deputies closed in, the passenger began throwing heavy equipment out of the window. In addition to the chainsaw in a K9-11, you get K-11? In addition to the chainsaw, guys would throw itself out of the passenger window. In addition to the chainsaw, the suspect hurled rope, then climbing gear onto the highway, creating a deadly hazard for the pursuing officers. The chase eventually ended near Joint Base Lewis McCord,

when the stolen car got stuck in a roundabout. Get set up around here. He's stuck. Don't have for a bell. Get set up around here for some time. Both suspects fled on foot, but the deputy with the canine unit was right behind them. The officer gave a final warning before releasing the dog.

Police connecting out of your search for police canine. Be out of your make personnel. My dog will find you. We'll bite you. The canine quickly located the 31-year-old passenger, leading to a tense takedown. Get that guy. Hey, you see him?

Kill that guy, Debo! Hands up! Hands! Hands! Hey, crawl out slowly, man. Crawl out slowly. Keep your hands up. Keep your hands, and we can see him. Crawl out slowly. Let's go.

Hey, hurry up. We're on the same dog. Slowly. That's go. How'd a boy, Debo. What's that guy? Watch some, Dibo. Get on your stomach right there.

Get on your stomach right there. On your stomach all the way. The passenger was treated for a dog bite and now face his charges of first-degree assault in possession of motor vehicle theft tools. The 28-year-old driver was captured later on the military base by MPs. He has been booked for felony alluding in vehicle theft. For the latest crime and justice breaking news, be sure to tune in tomorrow on your favorite podcast app. With this crime alert, I'm Sidney Silvani. This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human.