Two Bangladeshi doctoral students disappeared in Florida.
Two Bangladeshi students, both pursuing doctoral degrees at the University of South Florida, have been missing for days with no information to their families in Bangladesh or their friends in the United States.
Zamel Lemon and Nahida Bristi, both 27, were last seen on April 16, according to the University of South Florida Police Department. He thought they were in a relationship.Both their phones are now off. The families raised concerns about whether ICE had detained them, but police maintained that their immigration status was clear and they were not in ICE custody.They were gone within an hour with Lemon last seen around 9 a.m. on April 16 at his student apartment on Avalon Heights Boulevard near the college.
Presti was last seen around 10 a.m. in the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building on campus.Their mysterious disappearance remained unnoticed for a day and a family friend reported them missing the next day at 5pm after trying to reach them separately. “Obviously everyone internally is very concerned, as we are,” University of South Florida Public Safety Public Information Officer Larry McKinnon told FOX13.
“Their behavior is not typical, they are graduate students. We have no information of foul play or suspicious nature at this stage.”
“Their families said that missing several days from classes was unusual, as they were known to be dedicated and responsible students who were working on their doctorates. Lemon is pursuing a PhD in geography, environmental science and politics, while Presti is studying chemical engineering.“When we get to that point where we’re not successful in locating them, our next best resource is the public,” MacKinnon said. “This is where we are.”Lemon’s brother from Bangladesh told Fox13 that his disappearance is very suspicious. “He is a very responsible and meticulous person, which is why the situation is unpredictable and unusual for us… and very suspicious,” Zubair Ahmed said. The last time he spoke to his brother, Lemon was busy with his thesis.Ahmed said: “Another important point is that they talked about a future together, but they are not serious about it.” “They are both thinking about whether we can get married together, and are discussing it.”
