The Higginbotham family from Birmingham, Alabama, is tirelessly searching for their son, James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student who went missing in Japan. Weston was last seen in the mountainous Yamashina area near Kyoto, a region known for its dense forests and hiking trails. Despite the local police scaling back their search efforts, the family remains committed to finding him.

Timeline of Events

The family arrived in Japan to celebrate the high school graduation of Weston’s younger brother, visiting several cities before reaching Kyoto. While in Kyoto, Weston had a disagreement with his mother over the use of AI navigation tools, which led him to explore the city alone. His parents tracked his movements using a location app until his phone was turned off, an unusual behavior for him.

Weston was last seen on CCTV footage walking alone towards a forested area. The family reported him missing to local authorities, who began a search operation involving officers, helicopters, and K-9 units. However, a storm hindered initial search efforts.

Family’s Determined Search

Despite the challenges, the Higginbothams have launched their own search efforts with the help of local residents and a hired search and rescue team. They are focusing on a five-mile stretch of forest from Weston’s likely entry point. The family has also been in contact with the US Embassy and the FBI, which has offered assistance.

Community support has been strong, with a GoFundMe campaign helping to fund the search. The family plans to remain in Japan until Weston is found, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to bringing their son home.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.