An Auburn College scholar lacking in Japan since final week was discovered lifeless by volunteers looking a mountainous space close to Kyoto, his mom mentioned in a Fb submit on Saturday.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, was reported missing on May 29 whereas on a visit together with his household, after he stopped responding to his household’s messages on the telephone and turned off his location, in keeping with authorities.
“The grief we really feel is unattainable to place into phrases,” his mom, Nancy Higginbotham, mentioned Saturday.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, who went lacking in Japan, is proven in an unidentified location on this nonetheless picture obtained from social media and launched on June 3, 2026.
Nancy Higginbotham through Fb through Reuters
“We shared our story right here and within the media within the hope of discovering Weston,” Nancy Higginbotham mentioned. “We now ask for privateness as we start to navigate this unimaginable loss.”
The Alabama native’s reason behind demise is unclear presently.
“We’re perpetually grateful for the time we had with our candy, valuable Weston, however can’t start to know what life with out him will likely be like,” Nancy Higginbotham mentioned.
Nancy Higginbotham and Keith Higginbotham, mother and father of James “Weston” Higginbotham who went lacking in Japan, converse at an unidentified location, on this screengrab obtained from a social media video and launched on June 3, 2026.
Nancy Higginbotham through Fb through Reuters
On Thursday, investigators in Japan mentioned they consider it’s extremely possible the biosystems engineering scholar left his household deliberately, however police had been involved for his security, Kyoto Prefectural Police informed ABC Information.
Police expressed concern for his well-being as a result of he doesn’t converse Japanese and will not know his manner round. Police need to discover him safely and shortly.
Investigators have interviewed the household, adopted Higginbotham’s actions after he left the lodge, examined objects he left behind and reviewed CCTV.
