Weston Higginbotham – James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student who disappeared during a family trip in Japan, has been found deceased outside Kyoto after more than a week of searching. His family said they are “heartbroken,” thanked search volunteers and
James “Weston” Higginbotham disappeared during a family trip in Japan more than a week ago. On Saturday, his parents posted the news they had been praying wouldn’t come: Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue team in a mountainous area outside Kyoto.
“Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words,” his parents wrote in a Saturday Facebook post.
The message added that the family cannot begin to imagine “what life without him will be like. ” and thanked the people who kept showing up—across the United States. Japan. and “around the world”—to share Weston’s story. pray. offer encouragement. and help search. The parents wrote that the outpouring of kindness and support “has carried us through the darkest days of our lives.”.
They closed by asking for privacy while they navigate “this unimaginable loss,” saying, “we will always love you, Weston.”
Auburn University President Christopher Roberts said in a statement that “On behalf of Auburn University. I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham. who died while traveling in Japan.” Roberts added: “The Auburn Family mourns this heartbreaking loss and holds Weston’s family. friends and loved ones close in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.” The cause of death was not stated.
Weston was last seen on May 29 in Kyoto at around 8:15 p.m. local time. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, said later CCTV footage placed him at Yamashina Station.
According to the account shared by his family. the day had been spent separately while visiting Kyoto: Nancy. her husband. and their younger son visited a temple. while Weston explored on his own. The family said he had a phone trackable enough for them to follow some of his movements. seeing him take a train and visit several shops after they realized he was missing. His location turned off shortly after—a detail Nancy said was unlike her son.
After hours without hearing from him, at around 2 a.m. local time, the family reported him missing to police. Nancy told Newsweek that Weston had about 10. 000 Japanese yen (about $62.50) on him and that his phone battery was at 34 percent the day he disappeared. She also said Weston had food and water with him when he went missing.
She added that since he vanished, the family could see he had not taken money out of his bank accounts or used any phone data. Nancy said he also had not used money on his Suica card, a pre-paid electronic card used in Japan for public transport and other purchases.
While the search unfolded, Japan was hit by severe weather. A typhoon made landfall on the Wakayama prefecture on Wednesday, bringing the highest-level flood warnings in several areas and torrential rain to the Yamashina area.
Earlier this week. his parents released a map showing the area local police had already searched. asking for help beyond the marked zone. In a Facebook post. they wrote: “We are asking experienced hikers to help search outside of the marked search zone. particularly in the surrounding mountains and remote trails.”.
Nancy told Newsweek on Friday that the family was also “hiring a search party to help assist with the rescue.” She previously said that on Wednesday around 50 police officers, K-9 teams, and helicopters searched woodland areas near Yamashina, but found no trace of Weston.
As the days passed, fundraising efforts grew alongside the search. A GoFundMe fundraiser for the search was created by an Alabama user several days earlier. On June 5. the fundraiser organizer wrote an update stating that “The police have suspended their search. ” and that the Higginbotham’s were hiring a private search and rescue company expected to cost over $100. 000. prompting an increased fundraising goal.
As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe had collected over $56,000.
The family described Weston as a “junior majoring in engineering” and a “valued member of the Auburn Family. ” in words from Auburn University’s president. His mother told Newsweek that Weston was an experienced traveler and hiker who enjoyed navigating cities using public transportation. and she said he had previously completed an Ironman triathlon.
They also said Weston had a spat with his family before he disappeared, according to CNN.
A timeline like this—last seen on May 29. tracked through CCTV to Yamashina Station. searched for through intense weather. and marked by a phone that went dark—ended only after volunteer teams reached the mountainous area outside Kyoto where he was eventually found. What remained uncertain for days. including his cause of death. was not answered in the confirmation his family shared. leaving one last detail unresolved as the focus turned toward mourning.
For now. Weston’s family is asking for space and privacy as they process a loss that their own words described as impossible to put into words—while the community that rallied behind the search tries to make sense of how quickly a vacation can turn into a weeklong hunt and. finally. a devastating ending.
Weston Higginbotham Auburn University student missing Japan Kyoto search and rescue James Weston Higginbotham found dead Suica card typhoon Japan Wakayama GoFundMe search