missing Alabama – An Alabama family says their 20-year-old son, Weston “Weston” Higginbotham, went missing during a family vacation in Japan after his phone location turned off. He was last seen walking alone near a hiking trail in Kyoto’s Yamashina area. Japanese police have d
The last signal came quietly, and then it didn’t.
Nancy Higginbotham said she wasn’t worried at first when her 20-year-old son. Weston—who goes by “Weston”—got on a train by himself during their family vacation in Japan. She described him as an experienced traveler who often explores on his own. But when his phone’s location turned off, she said she knew something was wrong.
The Higginbotham family had been in Japan for a week. The argument that preceded the disappearance was small but pointed: Weston. a passionate naturalist. had argued with his mother over her use of ChatGPT for navigating. Seeking some space. he decided to explore Kyoto on his own while the rest of the family visited a nearby temple.
That was May 29.
Since then. authorities have been searching a mountainous. forested part of Kyoto during a typhoon that approached the city on Tuesday. bringing heavy rains. Police say they cannot rule out that Weston may have moved from the mountains to another location. but the weather has complicated every day of uncertainty.
Weston left Kyoto Station alone at 6 p.m. on May 29, according to local police. He was last seen around 8 p.m. that evening on CCTV footage walking alone in the Yamashina area of Kyoto, along a path that led to a hiking trail in the nearby woods.
The area is remote and hard to cover quickly. Yamashina is connected to four train lines and is one stop away from Kyoto’s main station, but it sits on the border between Kyoto and Shiga prefectures and is surrounded by mountains, including the heavily forested Higashiyama mountain range.
Just after he went out, the family tried to follow along. Higginbotham said that while they were at the temple, they texted him, asking where he was. Through the Life360 app—which Weston typically shares with his family—his location showed he stopped by a few stores before getting back on the train. Then his location turned off.
“It’s not unusual for Weston to blow off steam going to the woods and just exploring. That’s his happy place,” Higginbotham told CNN. “I’m thinking … he’s just off in the woods, and he got lost.”
But the turning-off of his location was the part that didn’t fit. Higginbotham said he had never turned it off before. By 2 a.m. the following morning, with no sign of Weston, the family reported him missing to local authorities.
She said he had about 10,000 Japanese yen—about $62.50—on him, and his phone battery had been at 34% before the location was lost.
Japanese police have since escalated the search. Since Wednesday, they have deployed dozens of officers, several police dogs, and a helicopter to search the Yamashina area. The search is scheduled to continue on Friday.
Kyoto prefectural police officer in charge of the case said. “As the missing young man is unfamiliar with the area. we consider it vital to locate him as soon as possible and are doing everything possible to ensure his safe recovery at the earliest opportunity.” Authorities are treating the disappearance as a missing persons case because there is currently no evidence suggesting that there has been a crime.
In the apartment where the worry settles every night, the family is trying to hold onto routine where they can—though even the simplest tasks now feel unbearable. Higginbotham said one of the worst moments was bagging up Weston’s clothes and giving them to police for sniffer dogs to use.
“And then I think – it’s raining, how are they going to find him? How are the dogs going to pick up his scent?” she said.
The family is also leaning on help from institutions and people across distance. Higginbotham said the family has been in touch with the U.S. embassy in Japan and the FBI, who are assisting in the search. Auburn University told the Auburn Plainsman that it was aware of Weston’s disappearance and that the school had reached out to the family to offer support. according to a statement to the student newspaper; it did not provide further details. citing the family’s privacy.
The search has also drawn ordinary support inside Japan. Higginbotham said that everyday Japanese civilians have pitched in—traveling hours by train to hand out flyers, and helping act as translators at various police stations. She said it has moved her to tears.
She added that none of Weston’s credit cards have been used and that his outdoors experience has equipped him with good survival skills.
The stakes are personal in ways statistics can’t capture. Weston is a junior at Auburn University studying environmental engineering. His younger brother’s 18th birthday and high school graduation were part of the reason the family began their Japan trip on May 22. Higginbotham described Weston as “the lover of Mother Nature. ” a vegan who has plenty of experience outdoors. including solo hiking the Pyrenees mountains in Europe. She said his love of mountain living runs in the family. and they often go mountain biking. hiking. and white water rafting together.
Weston’s father, Keith, said, “I need him back.” He added, “He pops up at another train station, I don’t know – but until we find him, one way or another, he’s out there, he’s moving somewhere, and we’re going to find him.”
Back in Birmingham, the community has been waiting too. Dozens of loved ones and friends gathered on Tuesday at a church for a vigil, according to CNN affiliate WVTM. His grandfather. Robert Holt. said the family was deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and described Weston as a strong young man who had just finished an Ironman triathlon.
Family friend Clay Farrington said the community is determined to stand by the family during the heartbreaking uncertainty, telling WVTM, “We love y’all,” and adding, “Weston, if you see this, buddy, love y’all. Can’t wait to see y’all back in Birmingham.”
For the Higginbothams, the clock is measured in phone signals that never return, in the rain hitting clothes bagged for dogs, and in every day that passes without proof that Weston is safe. Until he’s found, they say they will not leave Japan.
Weston Higginbotham missing Alabama student Kyoto Japan Yamashina area typhoon search Auburn University Life360