Hundreds attend USF vigil to honor the lives of two slain students
By Jessica Meszaros
May 1, 2026 at 5:18 PM EDT
Hundreds of people came to remember the two international students who police say were killed by a roommate last month.
Hundreds attended a vigil at the University of South Florida on Friday to remember two doctoral students who were brutally killed last month.
Many placed single flowers under photos of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both of whom were 27 and from Bangladesh. Some wore all-white Punjabi suits, as is customary in their home country for those in mourning.
A mourner folds her hands to her face in prayer in front of the photos of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Several people spoke at the podium, including USF faculty members who worked with the students personally.
School of Geosciences professor Mark Rains was one of Limon’s advisors. He described the student as hardworking and respectful — not in a performative way, but in a deep way to everyone.
Limon was humble and kind, he said.
“He was studying the use of geo AI to improve our ability to conserve and restore land, and his dream was to bring those two together for the sole purpose of making the world a better place for all of us,” Rains said.
5-1 USF Vigil VCR web.mp3
Bristy’s School of Chemical Engineering professor Vinay Gupta said she was passionate about music and singing, and she was known to carry an umbrella with her everywhere she went to shield herself from the Florida sun.
“I saw a student with a quiet smile, a soft-spoken demeanor and enthusiasm to begin her course work," Gupta said.
"By every account from her friends, these qualities never left her as she stepped into the role of teaching assistant in her very first semester, and then continued in spring, handling her duties with professionalism, patience and care.”
Mohammad Omer Hossain called Limon his best friend and was also close to Bristy. He said they were his "family" here. They shared their food, spent most of their time together, and helped each other through struggles. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Mohammad Omer Hossain called Limon his best friend and was also close to Bristy. He said they were his "family" here. They shared their food, spent most of their time together, and helped each other through struggles.
"We had a dream that we'll always be together and will progress in our life together," Hossain described. "Here I'm alone — just carrying their memories and all of our happy moments. I will cherish all those (memories) throughout my entire life."
ALSO READ: Petition calls for transparency in housing practices after USF students' slayings
USF President Moez Limayem shared his feelings, emotionally saying the two had so much ahead of them, which he said makes this loss so incredible.
“Not only who they were, but who they were becoming,” Limayem said.
USF President Moez Limayem spoke at the vigil for Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, who got emotional several times during his speech. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Limayem described the two students as friends, classmates and mentors to many at USF. He said they were "dreamers" and "builders of a better future," adding he's heard from many about their kindness, integrity, generosity and dedication to their families.
"They came here with courage — leaving everything familiar behind them to build lives with purpose and possibility," Limayem said.
He also said he wanted Limon and Bristy's families to know they are not alone. He said he wasn't speaking just as USF President, but also as a father and someone who was once an international student himself.
"There are no words. There are no words that make this right, and few words I can say to ease the pain you are feeling," Limayem said. "But please know this, your children matter here. They belonged here. They were loved here. And they will never, ever be forgotten."
He added that it's an "incomprehensible tragedy."
"It is a loss that should never happen, and it has left a void. It has left a void in our community that cannot be filled," Limayem said.
Untitled
The vigil took place at Crescent Hill, just behind the Marshall Student Center.
Across from the grassy area is a dark-stone memorial wall for students who died while they were attending USF.
Officials say it will soon bear the names of Bristy and Limon.
A memorial wall for University of South Florida students who died while enrolled is seen on May 1, 2026. Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limo's will be the first ones inscribed in the upcoming 2026 section. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
The two friends were stabbed and killed in mid-April.
Earlier Friday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Bristy's body was formally identified after being found in the waters off the Howard Frankland Bridge last weekend. That came days after Limon's remains were found in garbage bags on the bridge.
The remains are being returned to their families in Bangladesh.
ALSO READ: Remains of second slain USF student are identified, but motive still unknown
Limon's off-campus roommate was arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder, unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, and tampering with evidence.
A USF spokesperson said the school is reviewing how off-campus housing resources are presented to students.
And a GoFundMe page was created in support of Limon and Bristy's families. As of Friday afternoon, almost $170,000 has been raised.
President Limayem said he wanted to be clear that the safety and well-being of the university community is an obligation that does not end at the edge of campus.
"Many of our students live off-campus. They are still our students. They are still our family, and their safety is our responsibility," he said.
The university is conducting a comprehensive top-to-bottom review of off-campus housing safety, he said. They're looking at conditions, partnerships, protections and more.
"We will not stop until we are confident that we have done everything, and I really mean everything to better protect our students," he said. "This will not be symbolic. This will not be just words. This will be sustained, focused and relentless because we owe Nahida and Zamil more than words. We owe them actions."
WUSF's Meleah Lyden, Daylina Miller, Julio Ochoa, and Mark Schreiner contributed to this report.
Hundreds gathered for a vigil to honor the lives of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy on the University of South Florida's Tampa campus on May 1, 2026. A small section upfront was reserved for friends and people close to the students, and the rest stood un a u-shape behind. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Many placed single flowers under photos of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, both of whom were 27 and from Bangladesh. Some wore all-white Punjabi suits, as is customary in their home country for those in mourning.
A mourner folds her hands to her face in prayer in front of the photos of Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Several people spoke at the podium, including USF faculty members who worked with the students personally.
School of Geosciences professor Mark Rains was one of Limon’s advisors. He described the student as hardworking and respectful — not in a performative way, but in a deep way to everyone.
Limon was humble and kind, he said.
“He was studying the use of geo AI to improve our ability to conserve and restore land, and his dream was to bring those two together for the sole purpose of making the world a better place for all of us,” Rains said.
5-1 USF Vigil VCR web.mp3
Bristy’s School of Chemical Engineering professor Vinay Gupta said she was passionate about music and singing, and she was known to carry an umbrella with her everywhere she went to shield herself from the Florida sun.
“I saw a student with a quiet smile, a soft-spoken demeanor and enthusiasm to begin her course work," Gupta said.
"By every account from her friends, these qualities never left her as she stepped into the role of teaching assistant in her very first semester, and then continued in spring, handling her duties with professionalism, patience and care.”
Mohammad Omer Hossain called Limon his best friend and was also close to Bristy. He said they were his "family" here. They shared their food, spent most of their time together, and helped each other through struggles. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Mohammad Omer Hossain called Limon his best friend and was also close to Bristy. He said they were his "family" here. They shared their food, spent most of their time together, and helped each other through struggles.
"We had a dream that we'll always be together and will progress in our life together," Hossain described. "Here I'm alone — just carrying their memories and all of our happy moments. I will cherish all those (memories) throughout my entire life."
ALSO READ: Petition calls for transparency in housing practices after USF students' slayings
USF President Moez Limayem shared his feelings, emotionally saying the two had so much ahead of them, which he said makes this loss so incredible.
“Not only who they were, but who they were becoming,” Limayem said.
USF President Moez Limayem spoke at the vigil for Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limon, who got emotional several times during his speech. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
Limayem described the two students as friends, classmates and mentors to many at USF. He said they were "dreamers" and "builders of a better future," adding he's heard from many about their kindness, integrity, generosity and dedication to their families.
"They came here with courage — leaving everything familiar behind them to build lives with purpose and possibility," Limayem said.
He also said he wanted Limon and Bristy's families to know they are not alone. He said he wasn't speaking just as USF President, but also as a father and someone who was once an international student himself.
"There are no words. There are no words that make this right, and few words I can say to ease the pain you are feeling," Limayem said. "But please know this, your children matter here. They belonged here. They were loved here. And they will never, ever be forgotten."
He added that it's an "incomprehensible tragedy."
"It is a loss that should never happen, and it has left a void. It has left a void in our community that cannot be filled," Limayem said.
Untitled
The vigil took place at Crescent Hill, just behind the Marshall Student Center.
Across from the grassy area is a dark-stone memorial wall for students who died while they were attending USF.
Officials say it will soon bear the names of Bristy and Limon.
A memorial wall for University of South Florida students who died while enrolled is seen on May 1, 2026. Nahida Bristy and Zamil Limo's will be the first ones inscribed in the upcoming 2026 section. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)
The two friends were stabbed and killed in mid-April.
Earlier Friday, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Bristy's body was formally identified after being found in the waters off the Howard Frankland Bridge last weekend. That came days after Limon's remains were found in garbage bags on the bridge.
The remains are being returned to their families in Bangladesh.
ALSO READ: Remains of second slain USF student are identified, but motive still unknown
Limon's off-campus roommate was arrested and faces charges of first-degree murder, unlawfully moving a dead body, failure to report a death, and tampering with evidence.
A USF spokesperson said the school is reviewing how off-campus housing resources are presented to students.
And a GoFundMe page was created in support of Limon and Bristy's families. As of Friday afternoon, almost $170,000 has been raised.
President Limayem said he wanted to be clear that the safety and well-being of the university community is an obligation that does not end at the edge of campus.
"Many of our students live off-campus. They are still our students. They are still our family, and their safety is our responsibility," he said.
The university is conducting a comprehensive top-to-bottom review of off-campus housing safety, he said. They're looking at conditions, partnerships, protections and more.
"We will not stop until we are confident that we have done everything, and I really mean everything to better protect our students," he said. "This will not be symbolic. This will not be just words. This will be sustained, focused and relentless because we owe Nahida and Zamil more than words. We owe them actions."
WUSF's Meleah Lyden, Daylina Miller, Julio Ochoa, and Mark Schreiner contributed to this report.
Hundreds gathered for a vigil to honor the lives of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy on the University of South Florida's Tampa campus on May 1, 2026. A small section upfront was reserved for friends and people close to the students, and the rest stood un a u-shape behind. (2500x1667, AR: 1.4997000599880024)