Weston Higginbotham: US Student Found Dead in Japan, Family 'Heartbroken'

Politics and Culture Reporter

The body of 20-year-old Auburn University student James "Weston" Higginbotham, who disappeared while on a trip to Japan, has been found, according to his family.

“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.

Higginbotham had been missing for more than a week after disappearing during a family vacation in Japan. His cause of death was not stated.

Student's Death Confirmed After Weeklong Search in Japan

In the Facebook post, Higginbotham's family expressed their gratitude “for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston,” adding that they “cannot begin to understand what life without him will be like.”

The parents thanked the community members who helped support the search for their son, writing, “We are deeply grateful to the countless people across the United States, Japan, and around the world who shared Weston’s story, prayed for our family, offered encouragement, and helped in the search efforts. The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives.”

The message concluded that the family requests privacy while navigating “this unimaginable loss,” noting “we will always love you, Weston.”

Auburn University President Christopher Roberts said in a statement to Newsweek, “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.”

He 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 Search for Higginbotham

Higginbotham was last seen on May 29 in Kyoto at around 8:15 p.m. local time. CCTV footage later placed him at Yamashina Station, according to his mother, Nancy Higginbotham.

The family had spent the day separately while visiting Kyoto, Higginbotham's mother previously told Newsweek. She, her husband and their younger son visited a temple while the 20-year-old explored the city on his own.

Weston reportedly had a spat with his family before he disappeared, according to CNN.

The family tracked him on their phones and saw he took a train and went to several shops. His location was turned off shortly after, which his mother noted was unlike her son, per CNN.

After having not heard from him for hours, at around 2 a.m. local time, they reported him missing to police. He had about 10,000 Japanese yen (about $62.50) on him, and a phone at 34 percent battery the day he went missing, his mother told CNN. Nancy also told Newsweek on Friday that Weston did have food and water with him the day he went missing.

She added that since her son went missing, they could see that he had not taken any money out of his bank accounts or used any phone data. He also had not used any money on his Suica card, which is a pre-paid electronic card used in Japan for public transport and other purchases, she said.

While Higginbotham had been missing, a typhoon hit Japan on Wednesday, making landfall on the Wakayama prefecture, resulting in the highest-level flood warnings in several areas. It also brought torrential rain to the Yamashina area.

Earlier this week, his parents released a map showing the area local police have already searched for their son, writing in a Facebook post, "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 they are also "hiring a search party to help assist with the rescue." She previously shared with Newsweek that on Wednesday around 50 police officers, K-9 teams and helicopters searched woodland areas near Yamashina, but that no trace of Weston was found.

A GoFundMe fundraiser on behalf of Higginbotham’s search was created by an Alabama user several days ago. On June 5, the organizer wrote in an update that “The police have suspended their search, so the Higginbotham’s are hiring a private search and rescue company, and that is expected to cost over $100,000. Therefore, we have increased the fundraising goal for this campaign.” As of Saturday afternoon, the GoFundMe has collected over $56,000.

Who Was Weston Higginbotham?

Higginbotham was a “junior majoring in engineering and a valued member of the Auburn Family,” the university’s president said.

The 20-year-old was an experienced traveler and hiker who enjoyed navigating cities using public transportation, his family previously told Newsweek. His mother said he previously completed an Ironman triathlon.

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