An individual has been detained concerning the case of two missing doctoral candidates from the University of South Florida, as confirmed by authorities on Friday.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that a Tampa neighborhood was cordoned off on Friday afternoon, leading to the capture of a person connected to the vanishing of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both aged 27, who went missing separately on April 16.

At approximately 11:15 a.m. on Friday, the sheriff’s office declared the closure of the Lake Forest Community’s entrance and exit, citing “a police investigation related to the missing USF students” as the reason.

“The issue has been resolved. An individual is now in custody,” stated the authorities.

Zamil Limon, engaged in doctoral studies at USF with a focus on geography and environmental science and policy, was last observed at his residence around 9 a.m. on April 16.

Limon, a USF doctoral student pursuing a degree in geography and environmental science and policy, was last seen at his home around 9 a.m. on April 16.

Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 that morning on the USF Tampa campus at the NES Building.

Nahida Bristy, a USF doctoral student studying chemical engineering, was last seen around 10 a.m. on April 16 on the USF Tampa campus at the NES Building. (University of South Florida Police Department)

A family friend notified police April 17 at approximately 4:50 p.m. after concern grew over being unable to contact Limon and Bristy.

Both have since been added to the state and national missing persons databases, police said.

The sheriff’s office said that they will have a news conference Friday to announce additional details.

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