
Credit: USFPD
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office says human remains found on the Howard Frankland Bridge Friday morning have been identified as missing University of South Florida student Zamil Limon.
Limon is one of two USF graduate students who were last seen alive on Thursday, April 16.
Limon, 27, was a doctoral student in geography, environmental science and policy. He went missing around the same time as Nahida Bristy, a 27-year-old doctoral student in chemical engineering.
“We don’t have any indication to think that she is [dead] or she is not,” HCSO Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer told reporters on Friday afternoon. “We are still actively trying to recover Nahida.”
WFLA says HCSO arrested Limon’s 26-year-old roommate—who is not a USF student—on Friday in connection with the case after a standoff in a neighborhood near USF.
In a Friday email to the USF community, school President Moez Limayem said, “Investigators say this is an isolated situation that occurred off campus, the suspect acted alone and there is no ongoing threat to the safety of the university community.”
Limayem’s message said that USF students can access in-person counseling on campus, along with other options. Faculty and staff also have support through USF’s employee assistance program.
“I encourage you to reach out if you are in need and to rely on one another for support,” Limayem added.
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This article appears in Apr. 23 – 29, 2026.
