Missing USF doctoral students sought by law enforcement
Missing USF students: Police seek public's help
Law enforcement officers are searching for a pair of USF doctoral students, 27-year-old Zamil Limon and 27-year-old Nahida S. Bristy, who were reported missing last week. FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - University of South Florida police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are asking for help locating two missing USF students.
What we know:
Law enforcement is searching for 27-year-old Zamil Limon and 27-year-old Nahida S. Bristy.
Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen around 9 a.m. at his home on Avalon Heights Blvd. on April 16.
Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 a.m. on April 16 at the NES Building, 121 USF Sweetgum Lane, on the USF Tampa campus.
Police said a family friend contacted USFPD shortly before 5 p.m. on April 17 after they were unable to contact Limon or Bristy.
Dig deeper:
A public information officer with USFPD said the pair, who are both from Bangladesh, are friends and the pair are believed to be together.
Police said they are not being held by ICE, which was a concern for family members.
According to investigators, both of their phones are off.
Investigators also noted that this is not usual behavior for the pair, who are good students.
What they're saying:
These are two really dedicated students working on their doctorates. USFPD and family say for them to miss class for the past few days is highly unusual and concerning.
Limon’s brother told FOX 13 his family is in deep pain, trying to get answers about where the two may be.
"He is a very responsible and punctual person, and that's why the situation is so unpredictable and unusual to us… like, and very suspicious," Zubaer Ahmed, Limon’s younger brother in Bangladesh, told FOX 13.
Ahmed says he’s hardly got any sleep since last week trying to get the word out about his older brother.
"We’re in deep pain and [a] devastating situation," Ahmed said.
Ahmed spoke to his brother last Monday. Limon told him he was working on his thesis and would be very busy. Limon’s research focuses around using generative AI to study Florida’s shrinking wetlands.
Ahmed says Limon and Bristy were discussing a potential future marriage, but were focusing on getting through their degrees first.
"Another important point that is they talked about having a future together, but they are not that serious about it. Both of them are thinking about, whether we can marry together, and they are discussing that," Ahmed said.
Concern grows on USF's campus
"Everybody internally is obviously very concerned, as we are concerned. It's not typical of their behavior, they're graduate students," USF Public Safety Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon said. "We don’t have information that there is foul play or suspicious nature at this point."
Police say there are no immigration issues, they are not being held by ICE, which was a concern raised by family members.
FOX 13 asked about surveillance video, social media use, license plate readers, transportation and bank statements. Police say after several days of investigation not leading to the students’ locations, they’re now asking the public for help.
"When we get to this point where we aren’t having success in locating them, then our next best source is the public. That’s where we are at," McKinnon said.
Ahmed said his brother has been away studying for two years and has already booked his first trip home for this July. They’re hoping he’ll be on that flight and home safely soon.
"Everybody's hoping for a positive outcome on this. And that's why we're taking it very seriously and making sure we leave no stones unturned to try to find them," McKinnon said.
Police say Limon and Bristy have been entered into a nationwide database for missing people.
What we don't know:
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance are unknown.
What you can do:
Anyone with information on Limon or Bristy’s whereabouts is asked to contact USFPD at (813) 974-2628.
The Source: This article was written with information provided by the University of South Florida Police Department in a press release.