The search for James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, came to a tragic end as his body was discovered in a mountainous area outside Kyoto, Japan. Higginbotham had been missing since May 29, when he set out to explore the area alone during a family vacation.

Family’s Heartfelt Message

Weston’s family shared the heartbreaking news on social media, expressing their profound grief. ‘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,’ they wrote.

Weston, described as a passionate naturalist, had left his family to explore the city on his own after a disagreement with his mother over the use of AI technology during their trip. His last known location was in the Yamashina area, where he was seen heading towards a hiking trail.

Search Efforts

The search for Weston involved over 100 police officers, K-9 units, and helicopters, but was called off after 72 hours. Determined to find him, the Higginbotham family, with the help of local residents and a hired search team, continued to search areas not covered by the police.

Following the discovery of his body, the family expressed gratitude for the support they received. ‘The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives,’ they stated, thanking everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support.

This incident highlights the risks involved in solo exploration and the importance of community support in times of crisis.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.