body James “Weston” HigginbothamA 20-year-old Auburn University student from Birmingham, Alabama, was found in the mountains outside Kyoto. JapanOn May 29, he disappeared during a family trip.
His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, posted the news on Facebook. “Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found dead by a volunteer search and rescue team in the mountains outside Kyoto,” she wrote. “Words cannot express the sadness we feel. We are forever grateful for the time we spent with sweet, precious Weston, but cannot begin to understand what life would be like without him.”
how he disappeared
Weston has been traveling to Japan with his family since May 25 to celebrate his younger brother’s graduation. The family arrived in Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward on the same day he disappeared. Weston and his mother had an argument before he went off to explore alone while the rest of the family visited the temple. Nancy later told NBC News that the disagreement was over her use of ChatGPT while traveling. “We try not to use it and I totally agree with him. It’s just a very, very stupid argument,” she said.
The family had been tracking his whereabouts through the Life360 app, but his mobile phone went offline at 8:29 pm on May 29, cutting off all contact. Unirad.
Additionally, according to police, Weston left Kyoto Station alone around 6 p.m. and was last seen on CCTV at around 8 p.m. walking alone on a path leading into the mountains in Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward. His mother said it was out of character for him to turn off location features. Nancy wrote in an earlier appeal that he may have been “emotionally depressed.” news nation.
weston His parents said he was an experienced hiker and an excellent navigator and was believed to have been heading to the walking trail when he disappeared.
Japanese police confirmed that foul play was not suspected but said they would not disclose the cause of his death. CNN.
Family pays tribute to Weston as search ends in tragedy
According to Unilad, Japanese police launched a several-day search and rescue operation, using 50 officers, K-9 units and helicopters, but the search and rescue efforts were hampered by wet and steep terrain after the typhoon. Volunteers eventually found his body on June 6.
In the days before his body was found, his parents posted a video appeal urging people across Japan to share his photos. “Every time you repost it on social media, it’s an opportunity for the Japanese to see it,” said his father, Keith. “Our ultimate goal is for the Japanese people to see Weston’s face so they can report back to us.”
Auburn University said it was aware of his disappearance and had contacted his family. A spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with Weston, his family, friends and loved ones during this difficult time.”
