Two USF Doctoral Students From Bangladesh Missing Since April 16 In Tampa Area
Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh have been missing in the Tampa area since April 16. Authorities identified them as 27-year-olds Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy. Limon, an environmental science doctoral candidate studying artificial intelligence applications, was last seen about 9 a.m. April 16 at his Tampa residence. Bristy, a chemical engineering doctoral student, was last seen about 10 a.m. April 16 on the USF Tampa campus.
Hillsborough County detectives say they are actively following leads and conducting searches in multiple locations across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Family members and friends describe the disappearances as "extremely suspicious" and out of character, noting the pair had daily contact and already booked summer flights to Bangladesh. A lab colleague said Limon had marked "work from home" on a shared Outlook calendar the day they vanished. Relatives also say the two had discussed a future together but prioritized their studies, adding to the family's alarm.
Early reports simply noted that two students were missing without many specifics. More recent coverage, including a post by CBS News on Facebook, provided names, exact last-seen times and locations, and law enforcement updates that clarified the timeline. Fox News ran an early story but did not add the detailed timelines and family accounts that later reporting supplied.
đ Key Facts
- Two University of South Florida doctoral students â Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27 and from Bangladesh â have been missing since April 16 in the Tampa area.
- USF Police say Limon was last seen around 9 a.m. on April 16 at his Tampa residence; Bristy was last seen about 10 a.m. April 16 on the USF Tampa campus.
- Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says detectives are actively following leads and conducting searches in multiple locations across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
- Limon studies AI in environmental science and was scheduled to present his doctoral thesis this week; Bristy is a chemical engineering doctoral student.
- Family and friends say the disappearances are out of character, noting the students maintained daily contact patterns and both already had flights booked to Bangladesh for summer break.
- A lab friend reported Limon had marked 'work from home' on a shared Outlook calendar for the day they vanished; relatives say the two had discussed a future together but prioritized their studies.
đ° Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Names of the missing students are Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, and both from Bangladesh.
- USF Police specify last known times and places: Limon last seen around 9 a.m. April 16 at his Tampa residence; Bristy last seen about 10 a.m. April 16 on the USF Tampa campus.
- Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says detectives are actively following leads and conducting searches in multiple locations across Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.
- Limon studies AI in environmental science and was scheduled to present his doctoral thesis this week; Bristy is a chemical engineering doctoral student.
- Family and friends describe daily contact patterns, say both already had flights booked to Bangladesh for summer break, and call the disappearances "extremely suspicious" and out of character.
- A lab friend says Limon had put "work from home" on a shared Outlook calendar for the day they vanished, and relatives say the pair had discussed a future together but prioritized studies.