A days-long search in the Japanese mountains tragically concluded on Saturday (June 6), after the body of James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, was discovered.
The American college student first vanished on May 29 after traveling to Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward, where his family believes he may have gone to access the area’s hiking trails.
In an investigation that also involved the FBI, it was found that the student, who had traveled to Japan with his parents just four days before his disappearance.
As reported by The New York Post, he was last seen in a white “Save the Bees” graphic T-shirt, lavender corduroy pants, and Adidas sneakers with black stripes, while carrying a tote bag with the outline of the state of Alabama.
The family believed that Weston, who was an experienced hiker, chose to take a quieter trail in the area, but now, police have provided a key update in the student’s untimely passing.
Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham was found on Saturday. Credit:
Nancy Higginbotham / Facebook
Police update on Weston’s death
Japanese police in Kyoto told CNN that Weston was found at around 2:35PM on Saturday by a volunteer search-and-rescue crew.
They also confirmed that no foul play is suspected and that they will not disclose the cause of death.
It should be noted that Japanese officials are culturally and legally guarded about investigative information.
Taking to social media, Weston’s family penned in an emotional post: “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.”
Weston’s mother, Nancy, added: “We are forever grateful for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston, but cannot begin to understand what life without him will be like,
“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.
“We shared our story here and in the media in the hope of finding Weston. We now ask for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
The family initially said Higginbotham “may be emotionally distressed.” Credit: Nancy Higginbotham / Facebook
What happened to Weston Higginbotham?
Weston was believed to have been found in the heavily forested Higashiyama mountain range in the Yamashina Ward area, on the eastern border of Kyoto.
The student had a disagreement with his mom about the use of ChatGPT on the trip, and went into the woods to “blow off steam” while his family went to a temple.
Weston, a student at Alabama’s Auburn University, was left with around $62 on him and his phone battery at 34 per cent.
After leaving at around 6PM on Friday, May 29, his phone lost network at 8:29PM.
He would be reported missing to local authorities at 2AM, after his location had switched off and he failed to answer several calls and texts.
Police struggled to find the student at first, but with the help of several search parties, he was found roughly a week after going missing.
