TAMPA, Fla. — Two doctoral students at the University of South Florida have not been seen in nearly a week, authorities said Tuesday, while seeking the public’s help in finding them. The missing students — Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27 — were last seen at separate locations in the Tampa area on April 16, according to the University of South Florida Police Department. The disappearances have left friends, family, and the university community deeply concerned as investigators work tirelessly to piece together the final known movements of the two students. A mutual acquaintance reported them missing after being unable to contact either one, and both have now been entered into state and national missing persons databases.

The Missing Students: Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy

Zamil Limon, 27, is a doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography, environmental science and policy at the University of South Florida. He is described as a dedicated researcher and a valued member of the USF academic community. His field of study focuses on the intersection of geography, environmental systems, and public policy, work that requires analytical thinking, field research, and a deep understanding of the natural world.

Limon was last seen at his Tampa residence on Avalon Heights Boulevard at approximately 9 a.m. on April 16, according to police. There has been no confirmed contact with him since that time. His family, friends, and colleagues have not heard from him. His phone may be off or unreachable. His social media accounts have been inactive. He has simply vanished.

Nahida Bristy, also 27, is a doctoral student studying chemical engineering at USF. Her research involves complex chemical processes, laboratory work, and the application of engineering principles to solve real world problems. She is described as a bright, dedicated, and hardworking student who is well known in her department.

Bristy was last seen on the USF Tampa campus at the Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Building at approximately 10 a.m. on April 16, just one hour after Limon was last seen at his home. The NES Building is a hub for students in the sciences, housing laboratories, classrooms, and faculty offices. Bristy was there for a class, a meeting, or research. She was seen entering or leaving the building. Then she disappeared.

The Connection Between the Two Students

The two missing students are friends, according to the University of South Florida Police Department. They knew each other. They may have studied together, worked together, or socialized together. Their disappearances on the same day, within one hour of each other, raise questions. Were they planning to meet? Were they working on a project together? Did they leave together? Or are the two disappearances entirely coincidental?

A mutual acquaintance reported them missing. This person knew both Limon and Bristy. They tried to contact them. They called. They texted. They messaged. There was no response. Hours passed. Then days. The acquaintance became concerned. They notified the school’s police department at approximately 4:50 p.m. on April 17, more than 24 hours after the last confirmed sightings.

The Investigation: Searching for Answers

Detectives with the University of South Florida Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the disappearances. USF police processed the missing report for Bristy, while the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office processed the report for Limon. The two agencies are working together, sharing information, and coordinating their efforts.

Both students have been entered into state and national missing persons databases. These databases are accessible to law enforcement agencies across the country. If Limon or Bristy are stopped by police, if they use their identification, if they are admitted to a hospital, their names will appear in the system. Law enforcement will be alerted.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage from Limon’s apartment complex, from the USF campus, from the NES Building, and from surrounding areas. They are looking for any sign of the two students. They are checking license plate readers, bank records, phone records, and social media activity. They are interviewing friends, classmates, professors, and neighbors.

No additional details have been released at this time. The investigation is active. The police are following leads. They are not sharing information publicly because they do not want to compromise the investigation. They do not want to alert anyone who may be involved. They do not want to cause panic.

The Timeline: A Closer Look

April 16, 9:00 a.m. — Zamil Limon is last seen at his residence on Avalon Heights Boulevard in Tampa. He is at home. He may be leaving for the day, or he may be inside. After 9:00 a.m., there is no confirmed contact.

April 16, 10:00 a.m. — Nahida Bristy is last seen at the Natural & Environmental Sciences Building on the USF Tampa campus. She is at school. She may be going to class, to a lab, or to a meeting. After 10:00 a.m., there is no confirmed contact.

April 16, 10:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. — The whereabouts of both students are unknown. They may have left campus. They may have gone home. They may have met somewhere. They may have been together. They may have been separated.

April 17 — A mutual acquaintance tries to contact both Limon and Bristy. Calls go unanswered. Texts are not returned. The acquaintance becomes concerned.

April 17, 4:50 p.m. — The acquaintance notifies the University of South Florida Police Department that both students are missing. The report is filed.

April 18 to April 21 — Detectives investigate. They process the scenes. They review footage. They interview witnesses. They enter the students into missing persons databases. They ask for the public’s help.

The University’s Response

The University of South Florida community is deeply concerned. The university has issued a statement expressing support for the families and urging anyone with information to come forward. Counseling services are available for students and staff who are affected by the disappearances.

Professors have been notified. Classes may be affected. Students are talking. They are worried. They are posting on social media, sharing the missing persons flyers, and asking for help.

The university is cooperating fully with law enforcement. They are providing access to records, to buildings, to surveillance footage. They want the students to be found.

The Families: Waiting for News

The families of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy are devastated. They have not heard from their children in nearly a week. They are desperate for news. They are praying for their safe return.

The families may have traveled to Tampa. They may be staying in hotels, waiting for updates. They are meeting with detectives. They are providing information. They are doing everything they can.

The families are asking the public for help. They are sharing photos and descriptions of their loved ones. They are begging anyone with information to come forward.

The Public’s Role

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Zamil Limon or Nahida Bristy is urged to call the University of South Florida Police Department at 813-974-2628. Tips can be anonymous. Even a small detail could be critical.

A person who saw Limon on April 16. A driver who saw Bristy near campus. A surveillance camera that captured their images. A friend who received a strange text message. A classmate who noticed something unusual. These details could help investigators find the missing students.

The Concern: Foul Play or Voluntary Disappearance?

Authorities have not said whether they suspect foul play. The two students are adults. They have the right to disappear. They may have chosen to leave. They may have gone on a trip without telling anyone. They may have wanted to be alone.

But the fact that both disappeared on the same day, and that a mutual acquaintance reported them missing, raises concerns. Two friends vanishing at the same time is unusual. It suggests that something may have happened to both of them.

Detectives are investigating all possibilities. They are not ruling anything out.

The First 72 Hours: Critical but Lost

The first 72 hours of a missing persons investigation are critical. The chances of finding a person alive decrease significantly after the first few days. Limon and Bristy have been missing for nearly a week. They were last seen on April 16. It is now April 21. Five days have passed.

There are fewer “bread crumbs” to follow as time goes on, according to criminology experts. Witnesses forget details. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Physical evidence degrades. The trail goes cold.

But investigators are not giving up. They are working around the clock. They are following every lead. They are hoping for a breakthrough.

The Community’s Response

The Tampa community is rallying to help. Missing persons flyers are being posted on social media, on campus, and in the surrounding neighborhoods. Friends are organizing search parties. Volunteers are distributing flyers.

The case has received local media attention. News stations are broadcasting the students’ photos and descriptions. The public is being asked to be on the lookout.

The USF community is also responding. Students are sharing information. Professors are offering support. The university is providing resources.

How to Help

There are several ways the public can help:

• Share information. Post the missing persons flyers on social media. Share the news articles. Spread the word.

• Be on the lookout. If you are in the Tampa area, keep an eye out for Zamil Limon or Nahida Bristy. If you see them, call police.

• Review your surveillance footage. If you have a security camera, check the footage from April 16. You may have captured something important.

• Call police with tips. Even if you are not sure, call. Let the detectives decide if the information is useful.

The Emotional Toll

The disappearances have taken an emotional toll on the USF community. Students are scared. They are wondering if they are safe. They are looking over their shoulders.

Parents are worried. They are calling their children. They are asking them to be careful. They are wondering if the campus is safe.

Faculty and staff are also affected. They care about their students. They want them to be safe. They are grieving.

The Investigation Continues

Detectives with the University of South Florida Police Department and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are continuing their investigation. They are not releasing additional details at this time.

The investigation is active. Leads are being pursued. Evidence is being analyzed. Witnesses are being interviewed.

The families are being updated. They are being supported. They are being given hope.

Conclusion: A Community in Limbo

The disappearance of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy has left the University of South Florida community in limbo. Two doctoral students, both 27, both friends, have vanished. They were last seen on April 16. Nearly a week has passed. There has been no contact.

The investigation is ongoing. The police are asking for the public’s help. The families are desperate for news. The community is praying for their safe return.

If you have any information about Zamil Limon or Nahida Bristy, please call the University of South Florida Police Department at 813-974-2628. Your tip could be the key to finding them.

Rest in peace is not yet spoken. Hope remains. The search continues.