The mortal remains of Nahida Sultana Brishti, a PhD student at the University of South Florida, have been repatriated to Bangladesh following her death in a brutal killing in the United States. Brishti had travelled to the United States via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with aspirations of completing her doctoral studies, a milestone her family had hoped would eventually bring her back home with academic success. Instead, her coffin arrived back at the same airport, marking the tragic end of that expectation.
On Saturday morning (9 May), the body of Brishti arrived in Dhaka on an Emirates Airlines flight via Dubai at approximately 9:10 am. Following completion of formalities at the airport, the coffin was transferred into a specialised government ambulance for transportation to her ancestral home in Madaripur.
At around 10:30 am, the vehicle carrying her remains departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. Family members present at the scene included her parents, brother, maternal uncle, grandfather, and other close relatives. Upon receiving the coffin, several family members were overcome with grief, with many breaking down in tears as they bid farewell to their loved one.
Witnesses at the airport reported that Brishti’s mother was in a visibly distressed state, repeatedly calling out her daughter’s name while mourning. The emotional atmosphere affected many present at the airport, who observed the final moments of farewell between the family and the deceased.
According to officials, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam was present at the airport and stated that the government is actively engaged in ensuring a thorough investigation and justice regarding the killing. He further noted that continuous communication is being maintained with the relevant United States authorities in connection with the case.
Family sources confirmed that Brishti’s funeral prayers (Janaza) are scheduled to be held in Madaripur after the Asr prayer on the same day. Following the funeral rites, she will be laid to rest beside the graves of her grandparents in her family burial ground.
Timeline of Key Events
| Time & Date (9 May) | Event |
|---|---|
| 9:10 am | Arrival of Brishti’s body in Dhaka via Emirates flight through Dubai |
| Morning | Completion of airport formalities at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport |
| 10:30 am | Departure of ambulance carrying the body to Madaripur |
| Afternoon (after Asr prayer) | Scheduled funeral (Janaza) in Madaripur |
| Following funeral | Burial beside grandparents’ graves |
Brishti’s repatriation marks the conclusion of a formal international process involving transportation of human remains, coordination between aviation authorities, and diplomatic communication. The arrival of her body at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport drew attention due to the circumstances surrounding her death and the presence of senior officials and family members during the handover.
Her return to Bangladesh has brought together relatives and community members in Madaripur, where final rites are expected to take place according to family arrangements.