"We Have One Question: Why?" - Murdered USF Student's Brother Shares New Theory

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: "We Have One Question: Why?" - Murdered USF Student's Brother Shares New Theory
Podcast: Criminally Obsessed
Date: May 5, 2026
Host: Anne Emerson

In this deeply moving episode, host Anne Emerson investigates the tragic murders of Jamil Laham and his partner, Nahida—both Bangladeshi doctoral students at the University of South Florida (USF). Emerson interviews Jamil’s brother, Jabir, who sheds light on the victims’ backgrounds, the painful aftermath for their families, and critical failures in housing safety. The episode goes beyond the headlines to capture the human cost of the crime and the unresolved questions left behind—most powerfully: "Why?"

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background of Jamil and Nahida (00:09–04:15)

• Jamil and Nahida’s Aspirations
  • Both were doctoral students from Bangladesh, supporting their families back home.
  • Jamil’s thesis involved innovative research: “His thesis was about using generative AI to study shrinking wetland of Florida.” (Jabir, 00:35)
  • Jabir emphasizes their hard work and dreams:

    "They’re such a hardworking kind and full of dream. Both of them always put a smile on their face." (Jabir, 01:55)

• US Higher Education as Opportunity
  • Jamil saw the US as offering opportunities for research and advanced studies:

    “He wanted to be a professor someday after completing his doctoral study.” (Jabir, 04:55/05:10)

2. Apartment Living and Roommate Dynamics (05:22–09:30)

• Circumstances of their Shared Housing

  • Jamil changed rooms several times to be closer to campus, ending up at Avalon Heights.
  • Roommate allocations were largely determined by apartment management, not residents.

• Early Warnings about the Suspect

  • Jamil shared with close friends that his roommate, Hashem Abu Ghabi, was “very unpleasant and social and… had criminal charges.”
    • Jamil and another roommate had filed complaints against Hisham to the housing office.
    • There had also been complaints from a previous roommate.

• Documented Anger Issues

  • Jabir recounts a telling incident:

    “…he often angry so much with silly things. One of my brother’s friends used just cleaning soap of Hisham and he was so angry… my brother go to the supermarket and buy that cleaning soap.” (Jabir, 09:00)

3. The Murders and Early Warning Signs (13:34–15:01)

• Timeline and Community Response

  • Jamil and Nahida’s friends quickly realized something was wrong when neither could be reached—especially unusual ahead of thesis submission.
  • Both victims’ phones were switched off at the same time, raising alarm immediately.

    “It’s very unusual for Nahida and [Jamil] to go out just before thesis submission... both of their phones switched off at the same point almost.” (Jabir, 13:51)

• Suspect’s Background

  • Hisham was a former USF student and a dropout, unemployed, with at least three previous criminal charges (including domestic violence and traffic violations).
  • “He has anger issues. His brother have filed complaint against him to keep safe from him from the family.” (Jabir, 14:27/14:45)

4. Systemic Failures and Family Demands for Justice (16:02–19:48)

• Housing Accountability

  • Jamil’s brother questions the vetting process for roommates at Avalon Heights and the failure of the management to respond to repeated complaints.

• International Family’s Pain and Challenges

  • The family’s anguish is heightened by distance and cultural context:

    “We are passing a very painful time... Each day we are hearing a bad news and that is worsen than the previous one.” (Jabir, 16:02)

  • They struggled to relay the tragedy back home:

    “They are crying like a child and thus they cried so loud you can hear it from sky as well.” (Jabir, 16:27–17:30)

• Call for Institutional Action

  • The family issued a formal joint statement, demanding:
    • Accountability from Avalon Heights and the university.
    • Highest possible punishment for the suspect.
    • Return of all belongings and money.
    • A memorial in Jamil’s and Nahida’s honor.
  • Highlighted the difficulty of pursuing legal justice from abroad and requested university support during prosecution.

5. AI Misuse and Ethical Concerns (12:09–13:34)

• AI as a Tool for Crime
  • Host discusses allegations that the suspect used ChatGPT or AI to plan his acts, raising legal and ethical alarms.
  • Jabir responds:

    “AI authority should be accountable… if anyone searching for such suggestions for such heinous act, AI authorities should have informed consent or police or local.” (Jabir, 12:41–13:34)

6. Community Support and Moving Forward (20:44–21:58)

• Outpouring of Support
  • Both US and Bangladesh communities have rallied with donations and condolences.

    “In these difficult times, your support matter to us. And we are not alone. That represents we are not alone.” (Jabir, 21:07)

• Resilience and Advocacy
  • Jabir frames his advocacy as critical not only for justice for Jamil and Nahida but for all international students:

    “It’s very important for safety all over the students in the USA or in the world as well.” (Jabir, 19:27)

• Continued Uncertainty
  • The family is still waiting for Nahida’s remains to be positively identified and remains in contact with her relatives.

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Memorable Quotes & Emotional Moments

• “We also have one question. Why?” (Jabir, 01:08, repeated at 22:35)
• “He was literally left on the side of the highway like a piece of trash.” (Co-host, 00:04)
• “They’re such a hard working kind and full of dream. Both of them always put a smile on their face.” (Jabir, 01:55)
• “They are crying like a child and thus they cried so loud you can hear it from sky as well.” (Jabir, 16:27–17:30)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:09 – 01:55: Introduction to Jamil and Nahida, their backgrounds and dreams
• 05:22 – 09:30: Details on apartment living, red flags with the roommate, and management’s alleged inaction
• 12:09 – 13:34: Concerns over AI being implicated in the crime’s planning
• 13:51 – 15:01: How friends detected the victims were missing, and the suspect’s criminal background
• 16:02 – 19:48: Family’s grief, the impact of distance, and concrete demands for justice
• 20:44 – 21:58: Community support, messages of thanks, and the family’s resilience

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Conclusion

This episode brings a powerful, personal perspective to a horrifying crime, underscoring institutional lapses in student safety and the heartbreak of families left with unanswered questions. Jabir’s call for justice—coupled with his advocacy for stronger accountability from housing providers and technology platforms—resonates as a plea for meaningful change and closure.

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Notable Final Quote:
“We also have one question. Why?” (Jabir, 22:35)

Transcript

[A]

Hey everyone, I'm Ann Emerson and this is Criminally Obsessed.

[B]

He was literally left on the side of the highway like a piece of trash.

[A]

Two doctoral students from Bangladesh came to America not only to further their studies, but to support their families financially. Back home.

[C]

They were almost made earning source for us.

[A]

That's Jamil Lahman's brother, Jabir. Just to understand his living conditions in Bangladesh, the electricity went out during our interview. But it was so important that he tell me about his brother. He continued in the dark.

[C]

His thesis was about using generative AI to study shrinking wetland of Florida.

[A]

Police say Jamil and his girlfriend Nahida were murdered by his roommate, Hashem Abu Ghabi.

[B]

The actions of the suspect are nothing short of pure evil. When they deploy blue star, the technology is so precise and finite that we can see the outline of a human being on the floor next to our suspect's bed where he was curled up in a fetal position.

[C]

Yeah, we also have one question. Why?

[A]

Why? I needed to find out who Jamil and Nahida were, what it was like for Jamil to share this apartment with his two other roommates and how Jamil's family found out about the murders. But before we get started, be sure to like subscribe and turn on your notifications for Criminally Obsessed. I don't want you to miss any of these big stories that you're following. Let's get into it. Well, first off, I just want to tell you how deeply sorry I am to hear about your brother and Nahida. It has really been such a horrible, horrible tragedy.

[C]

Yeah, it's a very difficult time for us and tremendous loss for our family. Or you can say for community or I would like to say for global talent loss. I would say like they're such a hard working kind and full of dream. Right? Both of them are. Always put a smile on their face. Yeah, that's what I can recall for them.

[A]

I wanted to hear about your brother. Can you tell me about Samuel?

[C]

My brother had completed his undergraduate from Bangladesh. Then after completing that he went to United States to study pursue higher study in graduate level and study at Geoscience. Geography science, Environmental science. His thesis was about using generative AI to study shrinking wetland of Florida. Or really shrinking weight end of world in general. Flash float can be happened. Sorry for the.

[A]

The power is. Did the power go out?

[C]

Yeah, it goes out.

[A]

It's okay. As long as you're okay.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, it's okay. It will restore within minutes. I say.

[A]

I'd say it sounds like your brother was doing very Important work.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Tell me about him as your brother. What was he like as a brother to you?

[C]

He's a very disciplined person. I'd like to say he prefer he put emphasize or give importance to his study at most. And he's also a very smiley person. He always smiles kind towards others and I would like to say hard working. He came to United States to build or a better future. Yeah. That's what I would recall now. Yeah.

[A]

Did he meet Nahida in Bangladesh or did he meet her in the United States?

[C]

He met Nahida in the United States.

[A]

The United States. How long have they been together?

[C]

It be around one year.

[A]

One year. Had you met Nahida by. By maybe on.

[C]

I. I didn't meet Nahida. I just heard a lot of like he has a lot of talent and she's a very good person from my brother. That she can cook well. She can sing well. She's a very good person in. And that. That was the notion for me and it will be forever.

[A]

I know. And they. They both look like just absolutely beautiful people.

[C]

Yeah. Thank you.

[A]

They really did.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

Why did he decide to come to the United States?

[C]

He wanted to pursue his higher study from United States because United offer arguably most advanced research and wide opportunity and thorough academic training for doctoral studies. He wanted to be a professor someday after completing his doctoral study. Yeah.

[A]

Why did he have the situation in his housing complex? Do you know why he was paired to live with who we now know is Hisham Abu Ghabi? Why was he living with him in the first place?

[C]

So my brother shifted a room for three times because he wanted to be closer to the university and. And wanted to be like with. Yeah. That's what the main point of him like he wanted to be closer with the campus. And the Avalon height was the closest one. It's just out. Just opposite side of the road right from the campus. In case of renting home most of the time is random. Like you put your. Put your checklist that you wanted to with whom you want to be with but it's actually up to complex authority to decide.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Then he found out Hisham. But one thing I would like to mention that from the very beginning my brother said that his American roommate Hisham is very unpleasant and social and he often came out from home and yeah, that's what he mentioned us about Hisham. And when he learned that he has criminal charges. I have heard this from his very, very close friend from Bangladesh. He shared like Jamil shared with him not with our family. He shared. He said Me that Jamils and after knowing that Hisham has rare criminal record, Jamil and his another roommate, Rashid filed complaint against Hisham.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah. Apparently see, after seeing all those things, it seems like apparent apartment complex authority didn't pay necessary attention to this matter. Yeah.

[A]

And this is a. This was in a short period of time, am I right? He was only living there for a couple of months.

[C]

Yeah, for two months. Like. Like second month is going. One month is half completed. Yeah.

[A]

And was Nahida living there?

[C]

No. Nahida lives not very much far from Jamils, but another apartment. Yeah.

[A]

So were her and Jamil planning long term? Had. Had you heard anything about how if they were planning to get married or had you heard anything like that?

[C]

Because I. Yeah, they are close friends for sure. Very close friend from the very beginning. And they had feelings for each other. They're planning having a future together. They're discussing about. Because marriage is a very big deal. Right. So after discussing about one preference, another one they had planned to came Bangladesh and in July they already booked ticket. Right. For both of them. But yes, that's what I know.

[A]

When this interaction with this roommate that he was having trouble with, he. You believe that he filed a complaint with the police or with the. With the housing.

[C]

Yeah, with the housing center. Like Avalon Housing Center. Avalon Heights Housing center, yeah.

[A]

Do we know what behavior he was concerned about? Did he. Did he tell you or his friends, as you know what kind of behavior was going on?

[C]

I have heard that Hisham has anger issues. Like he often angry so much with very silly things. I've heard that one of my brother's friend use just cleaning soap of Hisham and he was so angry that he shout out with my brother and my brother go to the supermarket and buy that cleaning soap. And that was one incident about his anger issues. Like. Yeah, you can guess what could happen.

[A]

Have you. Have you been thinking about what would have triggered such a violent act against him and Nahida?

[C]

I would like to say that the complaining part would be one of the biggest reason. Right. That both of his roommate complained against him. And another point I'd like to mention that my brother's previous like that room was previously acquired by another American student. He also filed complaint against Hisham before going another. Another location, another room. Yeah. Like Hisham has prior complaining record. Right.

[A]

Also yes, absolutely. It's very, very concerning. And I'm also concerned because Hisham did not seem to be part of campus. Everything I've read is that he worked for True Grain. That was he an actual student or Was he.

[C]

He was former US and also dropout like. Yeah, that's what I know. From a newspaper or from his friend as well. Yeah.

[A]

So he had no business in. In. Yeah, he had no business in college housing.

[C]

Yeah. He is kind of unemployed person like

[A]

I understand. I'm so sorry. I thank you for explaining these things to me though because I think it's important for us to understand, you know, what the situation was as this occurred. Have you spoken to his other roommate?

[C]

Yeah, no, I didn't talk with him. Yeah. He's also not willing to give any interview with the media as well as where I know.

[A]

Do you know if Nahida had had any issues with Hisham as well? Do you know if she had ever had any bad interactions with him?

[C]

I don't think so. Like Nahida barely know Hisham. I don't think neither have encountered any. I don't know like it would be after investigations but Nahida didn't. We didn't see Nahida in with Yahishan or didn't hear about it.

[A]

You know. Speaking of investigations, do you feel like your family is hearing what they need to hear from the police? Are you able to communicate with the police about what's going on with the investigations?

[C]

Yeah, we had a interview with state attorney previously last day and we are in constant contact with his hisbar police, county police. Yeah.

[A]

One thing I saw is that he's very upset about the state prosecutor's office. Very upset that chat GPT and AI was used by this suspect to ask questions. Did you see that?

[C]

No. Who is offset? Very. Okay.

[A]

The state prosecutor. The. The state's office was upset because they felt that AI had been used improperly to inform Hisham.

[C]

No, I didn't see that. But after hearing from you that it's very surprising and disgusting as well. AI company or air authority should be accountable about their users. Right. So if they found any warning sign or if anyone searching for such suggestions for such heinous act, AI authorities should have informed consent or police or local. By local police as well. Is very. I'm just requesting all out there, like all AI company out there to acknowledge the fact that people can use or misuse AI to do such heinous things or tragic things.

[A]

I understand. When you know one thing that we did notice is Jamil's friends immediately contacted like within 24 hours they had contacted police. It appears that they were concerned very quickly. Do you know why?

[C]

Because like it's very, very unusual for Nahida and Bistri to go out just before thesis submission it's very highly unlikely and. And even if they go out there for refreshment they won't switch off their phone. Right. So everything is so like. And both of their phones switched off from at the same point almost. So it's very unlikely to ever happen.

[A]

So the friends. The friends knew something was very wrong. Did they know about his charm?

[C]

They know a little bit about their roommate but I don't think they know that much that Hisham has prior criminal record. Hisham is very unpleasant, unsocial and often didn't come from. Came out from his room as well. And he has anger issues. Hisham has in total three criminal charges before the incident as well that he's very. Has domestic violence. His brother have filed complaint against him to keep safe from him from the family and he has charges for violation of traffic rules. Yeah.

[A]

A long. A long bad track record. Tell me did you. Were you concerned when your brother said that he wanted to go to the US in the first place? Was that ever a concern for your family?

[C]

No, because like. Because a lot of students go USA to pursue higher study and it's often considered as a good things or. Yeah. Because yeah US provide the best education out of the world so it's often considered a good thing there it was an exciting. We are very proud of. Yeah yeah we are very. We are. We were very proud of him when he got selected from the university.

[A]

I have to ask how. How difficult is this for your family being so far away. I mean you're 8000 miles away. I mean this doesn't happen. This doesn't happen in Bangladesh. We were reading that the homicide rate in Bangladesh is half of what it is in the United States.

[C]

We are passing a very painful time as I say like and it's like worst case scenario for us. Each day we are hearing a bad news and that is worsen than the previous one and days by days and we are tired of it.

[A]

How did you hear about Jamil? About what had happened?

[C]

At first I was informed by one of Jamil's and Naida's close friend Omar Hussain. He informed me about the missing on the 17th of April or I would like to at the 20th of April or around 2 days after the missing and the police found the body or remaining of around eight days later. Buddhist called me at night and it was really really heartbroken. And I was very afraid how I'm gonna say that to my parents. Yeah after like saying that my brother is no more. They are crying like a child and thus they cried so loud you can hear it from sky as well. Yeah.

[A]

No, I am so sorry. I am so sorry. No brother should ever have to do that. And I'm so sorry that that happened to you and your family.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

I'm also really like tough situation for me but. And trying to be strong because if I. If I don't do that, my parents will be like in a more difficult situation. Yeah.

[A]

Tell me what, tell me what justice looks like right now for you and your family.

[C]

Yeah. We have provided a joint statement mentioning six main point of. From our side. Did you get that?

[A]

I saw that.

[C]

Yeah. Like we, we emphasize like two important part. That accountability of Avalon Heights like student and families trust these housings arrangement. Right. So. And the trust must be protected. Another important like justice and legal support. Because we are living in Bangladesh, our families are in Bangladesh. It's very difficult to maintain legal procedure from Bangladesh as well. So we are requesting like highest punishment, highest possible punishment for Hisham or anyone else who may be legally connected if proven by the investigations and court process. We also requested the university that remain actively engaged throughout the investigation or throughout the hearing from the court. Yep.

[A]

I think that's. That's very wise. It's very wise to have that out and you know by, by being the voice for your brother right now is so important that relentlessness is so important when it comes to victim advocacy. So I'm so glad that you're strong enough to do it for your family.

[C]

Yeah. I have to like otherwise it's like strengths, life matter. Right. And it's very important for all of the students out there who are living in a student housing center off campus or on campus. Right. So it's very important for safety all over the students in the USA or in the world as well.

[A]

I do know that they're still trying to identify the body of Nahida.

[C]

Yeah. Yeah, they are searching for it and they have found a remaining of body but they are not sure about it.

[A]

Yes. I hear that the clothes do match. So it's getting. It's. They do feel confident but they don't obviously they can't. They can't say it until they identify the body. Have you been in touch with her family?

[C]

Yeah, we are in constant contact with Naida's elder brother and I have visited their home just a few days ago. They are in same pain as. Yes, they are devastating situation and I just give condolence them and may God peace be upon them so they can cope up with this situation.

[A]

I've also reached out to some other Family and friends within this story through Facebook and I was given the link to the GoFundMe and it does look like there's been a wonderful outpouring from the communities to support. What does that mean to you and is that the best way to help you right now?

[C]

Like we like to say that from the bottom of our heart, we thank you for your support, for your legal support, for your concern, for your donation, everything. Because in these difficult times, your support matter to us. And we are not alone. That represents we are not alone. And to some extent, both of our family depend on them. Right. They're almost made earning source for us.

[A]

They were going to be a form of financial support.

[C]

Yeah. I'd like to thank everyone out there who are helping in this difficult situation. I would like to thank you as well. Like you are spreading our words to the mass people. I would like to thank you for your job. It means a lot.

[A]

Well, thank you. Thank you for talking to me today. And we did. We are trying to follow up with the investigation. So we're, we're trying to give people information to understand what happened in the investigation. I've been able to speak to people who work on investigations like this. Not this one, but like this one so that we can understand better what happened. And the one thing that I, I understand there was anger, anger issues with this suspect. I still don't understand why. And I know it must. If it's hard for me, it must be impossible for your family.

[C]

Yeah. We also have one question. Why?

[A]

Why? I know. I'm so sorry. Take care of you and your family. Okay?

[C]

Yeah. Just keep your prayers for my beloved sister and brother as well. Yeah. Both of them are for my brother and sister. Yeah.

[A]

Jamil's family is looking for justice. They've released a six point statement. Here's what they're demanding. They want the apartment housing where Jamil lived to be held accountable by the university. His family wants the highest possible punishment for the suspect, Hashem Abu Ghabi. They want all of the students personal belongings to be returned and any money to be returned. And finally they want a memorial in their honor. Tell me what you think. Will they get justice? And we're getting ready for CrimeCon Vegas. It's happening at the end of this month. Really hope that you're going to be there. I'd love to meet you. I'm going to be hosting two panels. I'll be sharing more information about that soon. But if you want 10% off, go to CrimeCon's website and just put in crimly obsession.