A 20-year-old Auburn University student from Alabama has been found ᴅᴇᴀᴅ in a mountainous area near Kyoto, Japan, after disappearing while on a family vacation. James “Weston” Higginbotham vanished on May 29 and was located deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue team on June 6, bringing a heartbreaking conclusion to a week-long search that spanned across parts of Kyoto.

Weston, a junior studying biosystems engineering at Auburn University, was known for his deep love of the outdoors. Described by his mother Nancy as a “lover of Mother Nature,” he was a vegan who had previously embarked on solo adventures, including hiking the Pyrenees mountains, mountain biking, and white water rafting. He was in Japan with his parents and younger brother to celebrate his brother’s high school graduation. The family arrived in the country on May 22 and reached Kyoto on May 25.

The last time Weston was seen by his family was on the evening of May 29. According to his mother, the family had been staying in a H๏τel room in Kyoto when a disagreement arose between Weston and his mother over her use of ChatGPT to help plan parts of their trip. Weston, who opposed the use of artificial intelligence due to its environmental impact, decided he needed some time alone. Nancy later described the argument as “dumb” and said it was not unusual for her son to seek solitude in nature when he needed to clear his head.

After separating from his family, Weston made his way to a train station. Police confirmed he was on a train around 8:15 p.m. local time and got off at Yamashina station in Kyoto. Just 14 minutes later, at approximately 8:29 p.m., his phone lost connection and tracking ability through the Life360 app that his family used. Messages and calls to his phone stopped going through. At the time, his phone was at 34% battery, and he was carrying about 10,000 Japanese yen (roughly $62.50). He was wearing a white T-shirt with “Save the Bees” written on the back and lavender corduroy pants.

Weston’s family grew concerned when they could no longer reach him. They reported him missing around 2 a.m. the following day. His parents emphasized that this behavior was completely out of character. Weston had never disappeared before, and the family stayed closely connected, often knowing each other’s locations at all times.

Japanese authorities launched an extensive search operation across the areas where Weston might have gone. Police, search dogs, and helicopters were deployed, with officers searching through difficult terrain, including waist-high mud in some locations. A typhoon brought heavy rains on June 2, complicating the efforts. Weston’s mother, Nancy, regularly shared updates on Facebook, noting that authorities were focusing on mountainous regions around Bishamondo near Yamashina. She expressed confidence in the thoroughness of the Japanese police and thanked local residents who helped by distributing flyers and offering support.

On June 6, Nancy posted the devastating news that her son had been found. “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,” she wrote. “The grief we feel is impossible to put into words.” She expressed graтιтude for the time they had with Weston and thanked the countless people in the United States, Japan, and around the world who shared his story, prayed for the family, and ᴀssisted in the search.

Police later confirmed that Weston was found in the mountains of the Yamashina area. As of June 8, authorities stated that no foul play is suspected, though the cause of death has not been publicly disclosed out of respect for the family.

In her emotional statement, Nancy asked for privacy as the family begins to process their unimaginable loss. “We shared our story here and in the media in the hope of finding Weston,” she wrote. “We now ask for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss. Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you, Weston.”

Auburn University expressed condolences during the search, stating that officials had reached out to the family to offer support. The university later said it had no further comment out of respect for the family’s privacy.

The sudden disappearance and tragic discovery of Weston Higginbotham has left his family, friends, and the Auburn community in deep sorrow. What began as a celebratory family trip to Japan ended in heartbreak, with a young man who found peace in nature ultimately losing his life in the mountains he may have sought for solace. As the family mourns, they continue to hold onto the memories of their “sweet, precious Weston” while asking for space to grieve.