The man currently facing charges in the deaths of two University of South Florida doctoral students allegedly consulted ChatGPT about the logistics of disposing of a body, according to court filings released by prosecutors, The Guardian reported. Hisham Abugharbieh, a 26-year-old former student who lived as an off-campus roommate with one of the victims, is now charged with two counts of premeditated murder in the first-degree with a weapon.
The legal documents reveal a chilling pattern of online activity that took place in the days leading up to the disappearance of Zamil Limon, 27, and his girlfriend, Nahida Bristy, 27. Prosecutors allege that on 13 April, Abugharbieh asked the artificial intelligence chatbot: “What happens if a human has a [sic] put in a black garbage bag and thrown in a dumpster.”
When the AI responded that the situation sounded dangerous, the court filing states that Abugharbieh followed up by asking: “How would they find out.” This digital trail continued on 15 April, when he reportedly asked the chatbot if a VIN number on a car could be changed and whether it was possible to keep a gun at home without a license. By 17 April, the inquiries shifted to geographic concerns, with prosecutors alleging he asked if cars are checked at the Hillsborough River state park.
It is deeply unsettling to see how technology was purportedly used in this case
The investigation into the disappearance of the two students began after they vanished from the University of South Florida campus on 16 April. Limon, a geography and environmental science doctoral student, shared an off-campus apartment with Abugharbieh. Bristy, a chemical engineering student, lived on campus. A family friend alerted authorities on 17 April after failing to reach either student.
While Limon’s remains were discovered on Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay, prosecutors noted in a filing on Saturday that there is no evidence to support any probability that Bristy remains alive. On Sunday, the Hillsborough county sheriff’s office reported that additional human remains had been recovered from the waterways of Tampa Bay, though these have not yet been identified.
Physical evidence appears to align with the timeline established by the digital logs. Prosecutors allege that Abugharbieh ordered duct tape online on 7 April, followed by orders for fire starter, charcoal, trash bags, and lighter fuel on 11 April. A roommate told investigators that between the night of 16 April and the morning of 17 April, they witnessed Abugharbieh using a gray rolling trolley cart to move multiple cardboard boxes from his room to the compactor dumpster on the property.
When questioned about the activity, Abugharbieh allegedly claimed he was simply removing old clothing. Upon searching the compactor, investigators found a wallet containing a student ID and a visa card belonging to Limon.
The arrest of Abugharbieh followed a tense standoff at his family’s home on Friday. After responding to a domestic violence call, deputies were able to remove his relatives to safety, but Abugharbieh refused to exit the residence. A special tactical team, which utilized a drone, a robot, and crisis negotiators, eventually convinced him to surrender. He emerged with his hands up, wearing only a blue towel. During interviews with investigators, Abugharbieh has denied any involvement in the disappearance of the two students.
Abugharbieh is currently being held without bond following his initial court appearance on Saturday. A hearing for his case is scheduled for 28 April at 9 AM. While the motive behind the killings remains undisclosed by authorities, the case has drawn significant attention.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister addressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is a deeply disturbing case that has shaken our community and [affected] many who were hoping for a safe resolution.” He added that detectives are working tirelessly to uncover the truth.
The victims, both promising scholars, were reportedly considering marriage. Bristy, a graduate of Noakhali Science and Technology University, was remembered by her vice-chancellor as a talented student.
As the legal process moves forward, the focus remains on the evidence gathered by law enforcement, including the disturbing exchanges with artificial intelligence that now form a central part of the prosecution’s case. OpenAI has not provided a comment regarding the use of its platform in this investigation.
Published: Apr 27, 2026 06:00 pm