Person in custody in search for missing USF doctoral students

Published: Friday, April 24, 2026 at 4:56 pm

Person in Custody in Connection to Missing USF Students

Tampa, Florida - Authorities have taken a person into custody in connection to the disappearance of two missing University of South Florida (USF) doctoral students, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. The individual, who is not one of the missing students, was apprehended at a residence in the Lake Forest Community, a neighborhood near the USF Tampa campus.

Law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether the person in custody is considered a suspect, only that they are connected to the ongoing investigation. The entrance and exit of the Lake Forest Community were temporarily closed due to the law enforcement activity.

The missing students, Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27, were last seen in the Tampa area on April 16th. The USF Police Department is assisting in the search. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office elevated the students' status to "endangered" on Thursday, citing new information that prompted the change. Details regarding this new information have not been released.

Limon is pursuing a doctorate in environmental science, focusing on the use of AI, and was scheduled to present his thesis this week. Bristy is studying chemical engineering. Bristy's family has expressed deep concern, noting that she typically maintains daily contact. Her brother stated that the family is "devastated" by her disappearance.

BNN's Perspective: The situation surrounding the missing USF students is deeply concerning. While the arrest of a person connected to the case offers a glimmer of hope, the lack of information regarding the individual's role and the circumstances of the students' disappearance leaves many questions unanswered. We hope for a swift and thorough investigation that brings clarity to this tragic situation and, most importantly, leads to the safe return of the missing students.

Keywords: missing students, USF, Tampa, endangered, arrest, investigation, doctoral students, Zamil Limon, Nahida Bristy, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Lake Forest Community, disappearance, AI, chemical engineering

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