James “Weston” Higginbotham, photographed in an unknown location, in a still image sourced from social media and disseminated on June 3, 2026. Nancy Higginbotham via Facebook via Reuters
A university student from Auburn, reported missing in Japan last week, was discovered deceased in a mountainous region near Kyoto by individuals conducting a search, as stated by his mother in a Facebook post on Saturday.
James "Weston" Higginbotham, aged 20, was initially reported missing on May 29 while on a family excursion, subsequent to ceasing communication with his family via phone and disabling his location tracking, according to official reports.
"The sorrow we are experiencing is beyond description," his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, conveyed on Saturday.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, who disappeared in Japan, is depicted in an unidentified setting within this still capture sourced from social media and issued on June 3, 2026. Nancy Higginbotham via Facebook via Reuters
"We shared our circumstances here and with the media, hoping to locate Weston," Nancy Higginbotham stated. "We now request privacy as we commence navigating this overwhelming sorrow."
The cause of death for the Alabama native remains undetermined at present.
"We are eternally thankful for the moments we shared with our cherished Weston, but we cannot begin to comprehend existence without him," Nancy Higginbotham remarked.
Nancy Higginbotham and Keith Higginbotham, the parents of James “Weston” Higginbotham who vanished in Japan, speaking at an undisclosed location, as captured in a screengrab from a social media video and released on June 3, 2026. Nancy Higginbotham via Facebook via Reuters
On Thursday, officials investigating in Japan indicated they consider it highly probable that the biosystems engineering student departed from his family voluntarily; however, law enforcement expressed concern for his welfare, as informed to ABC News by the Kyoto Prefectural Police.
Authorities voiced apprehension for his safety due to his lack of Japanese language proficiency and potential unfamiliarity with the surroundings. The police aim to locate him safely and promptly.
Investigators have conferred with the family, retraced Higginbotham’s itinerary subsequent to his departure from the hotel, analyzed belongings he left behind, and reviewed surveillance footage.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com