Missing American student found dead in Japan after dayslong search
Search and rescue volunteers in Japan found the body of a woman Auburn University student His family said it marked a tragic end to a frantic, days-long search for a man who went missing during a family holiday in the forested mountains.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, was found dead outside Kyoto on Saturday, his family announced. a social media post. Local police told CNN the cause of death is under investigation.
“Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found dead by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside Kyoto. It is impossible to put into words the pain we feel,” the family said.
Weston, an avid naturalist, disappeared on May 29 after a disagreement with her mother over her use of ChatGPT (and the natural resources required by artificial intelligence), leaving her parents and brother to explore Kyoto on her own.
Using the Life360 app to track his location, his parents saw Weston board a train and visit several stores. His mother said they texted him to ask where he was going and his location was disabled shortly after, which was out of character for him.
Weston was last seen on CCTV footage walking alone on a path leading to a hiking trail in the nearby forest in the city’s Yamashina district.
Given the camera’s location near the trail and Weston’s love of hiking, police decided to search the woods on June 2, but were thwarted by a storm that night that brought wind and heavy rain to the area.
Authorities expressed concern for Weston’s safety if he was in the mountains during the storm.
He was last seen as a 72-hour police search of Weston’s heavily wooded area came to an end on Friday, according to the family. More than 100 police officers, K-9s and helicopters participated in the search.
on saturday Higginbothams launches own searchWith the help of local residents and a hired search-and-rescue team, they focused on areas in the Yamashina forests that police had not searched, according to the family.
After Weston’s body was found, the family thanked those who shared their stories and assisted in the search.
“The outpouring of kindness and support carried us through the darkest days of our lives,” the family wrote. “Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you, Weston.”
Weston loved ‘immersing himself in different cultures’
Weston’s mother, Nancy Higginbotham, described him as an ardent protector of the environment and a traveler who loved to travel and enjoy nature.
“No matter what time of day it is, he likes to get outside and go for a walk on the trails or go for a little hike,” she told CNN’s Erin Burnett on Friday. “This is just fun for him.”
Weston, who loved nature, spent his life protecting it. This became more of a focus for Weston about a year ago when he became vegan. Weston was studying sustainability engineering as a student at Auburn University.
Weston was always educating himself “about the world” and reading books whenever he could, his mother said. During the trip, Weston was carrying a book about butterflies in his back pocket.
“Her goal in life is to travel… and go to all these amazing mountains and places where she can get involved in different cultures,” Nancy Higginbotham said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
CNN’s Jessie Yeung contributed to this report.
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