Remains Discovered Near Florida Bridge Confirmed as Missing College Student from Weeks Ago

Authorities have confirmed that human remains found near a Tampa Bay bridge on April 26 belong to Nahida Bristy, a missing doctoral student from the University of South Florida. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced on Friday that DNA, dental records, and clothing analysis conclusively identified the remains as those of Bristy.

“We have located Nahida Bristy,” stated Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We have informed her family and are currently working to return both bodies to their families in Bangladesh for religious reasons.”

Bristy, who was pursuing a doctoral degree in chemical engineering, was last seen on the morning of April 16 at the NES Building on the USF Tampa campus. Tragically, she and another doctoral student, Zamil Limon, disappeared on the same day, within hours of each other. Limon’s remains were found on April 24 on the Howard Frankland Bridge.

Bristy and fellow University of South Florida doctoral student Zamil Limon were last seen April 16, vanishing within hours of each other. Limon’s remains were discovered on the Howard Frankland Bridge April 24.

Nahida Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 a.m. April 16 on the USF Tampa campus at the NES Building. (University of South Florida Police Department)

“While this identification brings answers, it also brings immense sorrow. Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon were not only students, they were driven, accomplished individuals destined and deserving of great futures,” Chronister said. 

“We extend our condolences to their loved ones as they face this painful reality. We are committed to uncovering the truth and ensuring that justice is pursued in their name.”

Hisham Abugharbieh, Limon’s roommate, is in custody and has been charged with both murders, authorities said.

The 26-year-old faces charges, including domestic violence simple battery, domestic violence false imprisonment, tampering with evidence, failure to report a death to the medical examiner’s office or law enforcement and unlawfully holding or moving a human dead body in unapproved conditions.

Authorities said human remains located April 24 under the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, Fla., were identified as those of missing Zamil Limon, who along with his friend, Nahida Bristy, disappeared April 16. (Hillsborough County Sheirff’s Office)

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Bristy was last seen on surveillance video at the University of South Florida at 12 p.m., and was reported missing the following day by a friend to the USF Police Department. Limon was reported missing the next day, and authorities took over the investigation April 22.

Investigators later searched Limon’s apartment, where they found his student ID, eyeglasses, a shirt with blood and tears and phone cases belonging to both victims. Authorities also deployed a marine unit and dive team to search areas of the last known GPS signals from the victims’ phones.

On Sunday, April 26, kayakers discovered the remains in mangroves near Interstate 275 and 4th Street North after a fishing line became caught on a trash bag. Authorities said the remains were in an advanced state of decomposition and required several days to identify.

Detectives said the investigation revealed blood evidence inside the apartment shared by Limon and the suspect, and they are continuing to work to determine a motive in what officials described as an active and ongoing investigation.

Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both 27, were last seen separately on April 16 in Tampa, Fla., according to a news release from the University of South Florida Police Department. (University of South Florida Police Department)

Authorities said they are working to release both victims’ bodies to their families in Bangladesh for religious reasons.