One of two missing Bangladeshi PhD students found dead in US; one held

A medical examiner is determining Limon’s cause of death and may release autopsy findings over the weekend, Maurer said.

Before his arrest, Abugharbieh had been interviewed at least twice by investigators. He initially cooperated but later stopped responding during further questioning on Thursday, Maurer added.

By Friday, investigators were able to “link the suspect to this case and to (Limon’s) body,” the chief deputy added.

During the arrest, Abugharbieh barricaded himself inside a home, prompting a response from a SWAT team and crisis negotiators, authorities said. Video footage showed an armoured vehicle outside the residence before he surrendered.

No confirmed information has yet emerged on Bristy’s whereabouts, and the investigation remains ongoing.

The development was confirmed by the press wing of the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC. The mission said it is maintaining regular contact with the US Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Bangladesh Consulate in Miami is also coordinating with university authorities and local investigators, and a representative has visited the campus.

In a Facebook post, Press Minister Golam Mortoza described the incident as “extremely heartbreaking”.

Police earlier said Limon was last seen at around 9:00am on April 16 at his residence in Tampa, after which a missing person report was filed.

Bristy was last seen at around 10:00am the same day at the university’s Natural and Environmental Sciences building, with a separate report filed by campus police.

The disappearance of the two students had prompted concern among friends in Florida and relatives in Bangladesh.

Before Limon’s body was found, his brother told CNN the family was in “deep pain” while awaiting updates.

“It’s devastating for us,” said Zubaer Ahmed. “We are becoming numb. Anything could be possible. We just want to know the truth. It’s not possible for two students to disappear out of nowhere.”

According to CNN, Limon had spoken to his family about Bristy and had been considering marriage, his brother said.