The University of South Florida will host a community-wide vigil to honor two slain doctoral students as authorities continue working to identify human remains.
The decomposing body of Zamil Limon, 27, was found in a trash bag on Tampa’s Howard Frankland Bridge the morning of April 24. More remains were found in the water nearby April 26. Officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told USA Today Network on April 29 the remains have not yet been identified, but they will announce the findings once they are received.
Limon and fellow doctoral student Nahida Bristy, 27, were reported missing April 17. Limon’s roommate, Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was arrested April 24 for the killings. He’s been charged with two counts of premeditated murder with a weapon, among other charges, and being held without bond.
Investigators have said based on evidence, there is essentially no “probability Nahida Bristy remains alive.”
When is the USF vigil for Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy?
The vigil is scheduled for Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m. at Crescent Hill, which is north of the Marshall Student Center.
Limon and Bristy also will be honored with moments of silence at softball and baseball games April 30 and May 1. Next week’s commencement ceremonies will include a remembrance to the two students.
They also will be added to a campus memorial for students who have passed away and be recognized each year during an annual ceremony.
Zamil had attended USF since fall 2024 to study geography and environmental science and policy. Nahida had attended USF since fall 2025 to study chemical engineering. Both students were from Bangladesh and had plans to visit their home country this summer.
“As I reflect on this unimaginable situation, I find myself thinking not only as a university president, but as a parent and as someone who once came to this country as an international student,” President Moez Limayem wrote in a statement. “I remember what it meant for my own family to have me far from home, and how even small moments of silence could bring worry. I cannot begin to comprehend the pain that Nahida’s and Zamil’s families are enduring, but I want them – and all of you – to know that we are holding them close in our thoughts, and that their grief is shared across this university.”
GoFundMe account started to raise funds for slain USF students’ families
Zamil’s graduate advisor, along with the Bangladesh Student Association started a GoFundMe account to help support the two slain students’ families.
All funds will be distributed equally between the families, the account stated. The goal of $35,000 will be used for funeral proceedings, lost income and to transfer remains and belongings.
“We have lost two gifted and generous young people, and their families have lost their beloved son and daughter,” the GoFundMe stated.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Latest on USF murders: School honors students; remains not identified
Reporting by Michelle Spitzer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
