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Limon’s roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, a 26-year-old US citizen and former USF student who was arrested on Friday, has been charged with two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. Despite being a non-student, Hisham lived with Limon in an apartment on Avalon Heights -- a student housing complex north of USF’s Tampa campus.

Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Bristy’s father, Jahir Uddin Akon, recalled his last conversation with her on April 16.

“Father, I am attending classes at the university. I am busy with lab work. Around 5:00pm, we will go shopping. I will go with a friend,” said Akon, an insurance company employee.

“There was so much joy in her voice. She was supposed to return home in July. She used to buy things for herself and for us whenever she found time,” he said over the phone.

Now, he says, that voice is gone.

“No one will call me ‘father’ anymore. I used to call my daughter ‘Ma’. I will not be able to call anyone ‘Ma’ again,” he said, his voice breaking.

“I have only one demand now: find my daughter’s body and bring it back. I just want to see her face one last time.”

According to Akon, Bristy went missing shortly after receiving a phone call from a man identified as Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh. She went downstairs to speak with him and did not return.

“I had many dreams for my daughter,” he said. “She was very good in her studies. She went to the United States to fulfil her dreams. With her, I have lost my dreams as well.”

Bristy graduated in chemistry and chemical engineering from Noakhali Science and Technology University and later enrolled in postgraduate studies at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet). She secured a full scholarship to pursue a doctoral degree in chemical engineering at the University of South Florida and left Dhaka on August 12 last year.

Her family, originally from Madaripur, has lived in Mirpur‑11 in Dhaka for over two decades.

“We want justice. We cannot accept this death. We demand punishment for those responsible and the return of her body,” said Bristy’s cousin, Tuli Akon.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam yesterday said Bangladesh wants the US to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

“We demand a prompt and thorough investigation into the matter so that those involved are identified and brought to justice,” she said, describing the double murder as deeply unfortunate.

Shama Obaed said she personally spoke on Saturday with Bristy’s brother and Limon’s father.

“We are in contact with all the relevant agencies, including the Bangladesh Mission in Washington, the US Department of State, and the FBI. We have spoken to both families and will provide all possible cooperation from our side,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

USF authorities have stated that both students had health insurance through their student status that includes repatriation coverage.

In a joint statement, the families of Limon and Bristy urged USF and relevant authorities to ensure Islamic funeral rites for the two victims; pursue swift justice with the highest punishment for the accused; and investigate alleged security lapses at Avalon Heights -- including roommate screening, inadequate CCTV coverage, weak security measures, and the handling of prior complaints.

They also demanded the return of all personal belongings, settlement of pending financial dues, support for the bereaved families, and the establishment of a permanent memorial at the university in honour of the two victims.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Consulate in Miami is actively working with local funeral authorities and all concerned parties to repatriate Limon’s body to Bangladesh as quickly as possible.

On the other hand, the embassy is maintaining regular contact with relevant US authorities to obtain more information regarding Nahida Bristy.