One of Two Missing Bangladeshi Students Found Dead

A ten-day search for two missing Bangladeshi PhD students in the United States has resulted in the recovery of one body, confirmed by police. The deceased has been identified as Jamil Ahmed Limon, aged 27, who was pursuing doctoral studies in geography, environmental science and policy at the University of South Florida. The second student, Nahida S Birsti, remains untraced.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, a suspect identified as Hisham Abugharbeh, aged 26 and reported to be Jamil’s roommate, has been arrested in connection with the case. Following his interrogation, investigators recovered Jamil’s body on Friday from the Howard Frankland Bridge area in Florida.

Authorities stated that both students were last seen on 16 April. Jamil was last observed at approximately 9:00 am at his student accommodation near the university campus, while Nahida was last seen around 10:00 am inside the Natural and Environmental Sciences building at the university.

Concerns were raised after the students could not be contacted. A family friend reported their disappearance to authorities on 17 April, prompting the filing of missing persons reports and the commencement of a formal investigation. Police subsequently launched coordinated search operations.

Nahida, who is enrolled in a PhD programme in chemical engineering at the same university, has not yet been located, and search efforts are continuing. Authorities have not released further details regarding her whereabouts.

The case has drawn attention from diplomatic representatives as well. Golam Mortuza, Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, confirmed the recovery of Jamil’s body in a social media post, stating that the investigation remains ongoing and that the suspect is still being questioned.

Timeline of key events

Authorities have not yet disclosed further findings regarding motive or circumstances, and the investigation remains active.