Two Bangladeshi PhD Students Missing in US for a Week

Jamil Limon and Nahida S Brishti

Two Bangladeshi PhD students studying at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Florida, have been missing for about a week, raising concern among families, friends, and law enforcement authorities in the United States.

The missing students, both aged 27, have been identified as Zamil Limon and Nahida S. Bristy. Reports indicate that the two students were last seen separately on April 16, 2026, in the Tampa area.

According to available information, Limon, who is pursuing a PhD in geography, environmental science and policy, was last seen around 9:00am at his residence near the university. Bristy, a doctoral student in chemical engineering, was last seen around 10:00am at the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on the USF campus.

Authorities said a mutual acquaintance or family friend alerted police on April 17 after being unable to contact either student. Following the report, missing persons cases were opened, and the names of both students were entered into state and national missing persons databases.

The University of South Florida Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are now involved in the search. Investigators are continuing efforts to locate the two students and determine the circumstances surrounding their disappearance.

The case has drawn wider attention after reports stated that the students are not in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This detail has ruled out one line of speculation and has added to public concern over the unexplained nature of their disappearance.

As of now, officials have not publicly released any confirmed explanation regarding what may have happened. However, investigators are reportedly following leads and conducting searches in multiple locations, including areas in and around Hillsborough County.

Police have urged anyone with credible information about the whereabouts of the two Bangladeshi students to contact the University of South Florida Police Department.

The disappearance has sparked deep concern both on the USF campus and among relatives in Bangladesh. Family members and well-wishers are anxiously waiting for updates as the search continues.

With a week having passed since the pair were last seen, the case is now being followed closely by Bangladeshi and international media.