Two USF Doctoral Students Missing Since April 16; Police Seek Public's Help

Two University of South Florida doctoral students disappeared on April 16, prompting a coordinated search effort by campus police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. Zamil Limon, pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen at his Tampa residence at approximately 9 a.m. His classmate and friend Nahida Bristy, a chemical engineering doctoral student, was spotted around 10 a.m. that same day at the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building on the USF Tampa campus. Both students are 27 years old and originally from Bangladesh. The pair's absence went unnoticed for more than 24 hours. A mutual acquaintance, unable to reach either student, reported them missing to the University of South Florida Police Department at approximately 4:50 p.m. on April 17. The reporting delay meant investigators had little immediate leads to pursue in the critical first hours of the disappearance. Authorities have taken standard investigative steps, entering both students into state and national missing persons databases. According to police, the two friends are believed to be together, though the circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unknown. After several days of investigation without locating the students, law enforcement acknowledged they had exhausted initial leads and turned to public assistance. "When we get to this point where we aren't having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public," a police official stated. Detectives have reportedly examined surveillance video, social media activity, license plate readers, transportation records, and bank statements without determining their whereabouts. Anyone with information about Limon or Bristy's location is urged to contact the University of South Florida Police Department at 813-974-2628. The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces when young adults with no obvious warning signs suddenly vanish without apparent cause or communication.