TAMPA, Fla. — University of South Florida police are asking the public for help finding two graduate students who have been missing for more than a week.
Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27 years old and originally from Bangladesh, disappeared on April 16 from the Tampa campus, according to university police officials.
The couple was pursuing their doctoral degrees in different fields. Limon was working toward his PhD in geography, environmental science and policy, while Bristy was studying chemical engineering. Police say Limon was last spotted at his residence in a student housing complex, and Bristy was seen about an hour afterward at a campus science facility.
University police were notified last Friday by a friend of the couple who had been unable to reach either student.
Campus police spokesperson Larry McKinnon stated Thursday that investigators do not suspect the pair was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities.
Those close to the students say their sudden silence is highly unusual for them.
“It doesn’t feel normal,” said Md. Rakibuzzaman, who studies at the University of Georgia and maintains a close friendship with Limon. He described the situation to Tampa’s WFLA television as “a pretty complex puzzle to me.”
Zubaer Ahmed, who is Limon’s younger brother, spoke with WTVT and revealed their last conversation occurred three days before the disappearance. During that call, Limon mentioned being extremely occupied with his dissertation research, which focuses on applying generative artificial intelligence to examine Florida’s diminishing wetland areas. Ahmed also shared that while the couple had discussed marriage possibilities, they were prioritizing the completion of their academic programs.
