An Alabama family is reaching out to the public for help in locating their son, James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student who disappeared while on a family trip in Japan. The family, hailing from Huntsville, is deeply concerned as search efforts continue.

Last Known Whereabouts

Weston was last confirmed to be in the Kyoto area on May 29. Surveillance footage shows him at Yamashina Station, east of Kyoto, where he was seen exiting a train. However, it remains unclear if he boarded another train afterward. His phone lost service shortly after he arrived at Kyoto Station around 8:15 p.m. on that day, with the last signal recorded at 8:29 p.m.

Search Efforts Intensify

Japanese authorities have been actively searching for Weston, deploying dozens of officers on foot and using helicopters to scan the nearby hills. Despite these efforts, as of June 3, there has been no sign of him. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, has been actively updating the public through social media, expressing the family’s hope and gratitude for the support they have received.

Community Support

Back in Alabama, the community has rallied around the Higginbotham family. Friends and family gathered for a prayer vigil at Asbury United Methodist Church, where they prayed for Weston’s safe return and for peace for the family during this trying time. The family’s faith and the support from their community have been sources of strength as they await news from Japan.

Original reporting: Rocket City Now (Huntsville) — read the source article.