Auburn University student Weston Higginbotham found dead in Japan after week-long search, mother says | Today’s news
The body of an Auburn University student who went missing during a family trip to Japan has been found in a mountainous area outside Kyoto, marking a tragic end to a weeks-long search.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, disappeared on May 29 after becoming separated from his parents near Kyoto. His family confirmed on Saturday (June 6) that his body had been found by a volunteer search and rescue team.
The family confirms the heartbreaking discovery
Weston’s mother, Nancy Higginbotham, made the announcement in a statement shared on Facebook.
“The sadness we feel cannot be expressed in words,” she wrote.
“We are forever grateful for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston, but we can’t begin to fathom what life will be like without him.”
She did not disclose further details about the circumstances of the discovery.
The search took days
Weston had been missing since May 29 after he was last seen near Yamashina Station, east of Kyoto.
His disappearance sparked a massive search involving Japanese authorities, volunteers and supporters from around the world.
According to his family, they were initially able to track his movements using the Life360 location-sharing app. The app showed him near the river and he later boarded the train before his phone’s location stopped updating.
Police said he later believed he had entered a mountainous forest area near Yamashina.
The search was complicated by inclement weather, including heavy rains associated with the typhoon, which delayed operations.
The family thanks supporters around the world
In a statement, Nancy Higginbotham expressed her gratitude to the many people who helped search for her son and supported the family during their ordeal.
“The outpouring of kindness and support got us through the darkest days of our lives,” she said.
The family thanked people across the United States, Japan and other countries who offered help, prayers and encouragement.
“Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you Weston,” she wrote.
The disappearance followed a family dispute
Earlier in the search, the Higginbotham family said Weston became separated from them after a disagreement during the trip.
His mother told NBC News that an argument over artificial intelligence preceded his disappearance.
According to Nancy Higginbotham, she used ChatGPT to find restaurants and tourist attractions while traveling. A biosystems engineering student at Auburn University, Weston was deeply interested in sustainable design and had strong concerns about society’s growing reliance on artificial intelligence.
The family said they were concerned he may have been emotionally distraught when he left.
Last known movements
Authorities said Weston left his hotel on May 29 and was later seen near Yamashina Station.
His mother previously said investigators believed he had entered a mountainous forest area outside Kyoto that contained water sources but little food.
Rugged terrain and adverse weather conditions made search operations difficult.
The family requests privacy
As they mourn the loss of their son, the Higginbotham family has asked for privacy.
“We shared our story here and in the media in hopes of finding Weston,” said Nancy Higginbotham.
“We are now asking for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
The family has not released further details regarding the cause of death.