The discovery ended a weeklong international search near Kyoto.
KYOTO, Japan — James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student from Alabama, was found dead in a mountainous area outside Kyoto after disappearing during a family vacation in Japan, his family announced Saturday. The discovery ended a weeklong search that drew support from volunteers, local residents and people across multiple countries.
Higginbotham’s disappearance gained widespread attention after he was reported missing on May 29 while traveling with relatives in the Kyoto area. Japanese authorities, volunteer search groups and family members spent days searching forests and steep terrain east of the city. His death leaves key questions unanswered, including how he died and what happened during the days between his disappearance and the discovery of his body. Authorities have not publicly released a cause of death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to information shared by his family, Higginbotham was visiting Japan with his parents and younger brother during a vacation that marked his brother’s recent high school graduation. On May 29, he separated from relatives after a disagreement and decided to spend time on his own in Kyoto. Family members later said it was not unusual for him to seek solitude outdoors and explore wooded areas. Surveillance footage reportedly showed him traveling through the Kyoto area, including near Yamashina Station, before contact was lost. His phone location eventually stopped transmitting, creating concern among relatives who said that behavior was out of character. As days passed without confirmed sightings, search efforts expanded into nearby forests and mountain trails. His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, said during the search that her son was comfortable in nature and often found peace in outdoor settings.
Officials and volunteers faced difficult conditions while searching the area east of Kyoto. The region includes dense woodland, steep slopes and remote sections that can be challenging to access even for experienced hikers. Family members traveled through the area distributing flyers and speaking with local residents while Japanese authorities conducted search operations. Police officers, search teams, helicopters and specially trained dogs were reportedly used at different stages of the effort. Despite those resources, no confirmed breakthrough emerged for several days. The search eventually shifted toward areas where family members believed Higginbotham might have traveled on foot. On Saturday, a volunteer search-and-rescue group located his body in a mountainous area outside the city. Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether foul play is suspected. They also have not released details about injuries, personal belongings or evidence recovered at the scene.
The case attracted attention in both the United States and Japan because of the unusual circumstances surrounding the disappearance. Higginbotham was a junior at Auburn University studying biosystems engineering, according to reports and university information. Friends and supporters shared his photograph widely on social media as concern grew over the lack of confirmed sightings. The search unfolded during a period of challenging weather that reportedly included storms and difficult ground conditions in some locations. Family members repeatedly emphasized that he had experience spending time outdoors and was familiar with hiking and exploring natural areas. Those details complicated assumptions about what might have happened because relatives believed he possessed skills that would normally help him navigate remote terrain. As public attention increased, volunteers from different backgrounds joined search efforts and helped spread information throughout the Kyoto region.
Investigators are expected to continue examining the circumstances of Higginbotham’s death. Japanese authorities have not announced any criminal allegations or indicated whether a crime occurred. Standard investigative procedures are likely to include examination of the scene, review of available electronic records and determination of a medical cause of death. Family members have not publicly discussed funeral arrangements, focusing instead on expressing gratitude to those who assisted in the search. Auburn University also acknowledged the tragedy and extended sympathy to the family. Additional findings may depend on forensic examinations and official reports that could take days or weeks to complete. Until those results are released, many of the central questions surrounding Higginbotham’s final movements and the events leading to his death remain unresolved.
In a message shared after the discovery, Nancy Higginbotham described the family’s grief as impossible to express fully and thanked supporters who helped search for her son. She said the family would always love Weston and remain grateful for the time they shared with him. The family also thanked people across the United States, Japan and other countries who shared information, offered prayers and supported search efforts. Their statements reflected both deep sorrow and appreciation for the community response that emerged after the disappearance. Volunteers who participated in the search spent days navigating difficult terrain in hopes of finding answers. For many supporters following the case online, the announcement marked a heartbreaking conclusion to a search that had inspired widespread hope for a safe outcome.
The case now moves from a search effort to an investigation. Authorities have not announced when additional findings will be released, but attention is expected to focus on determining the cause and manner of Higginbotham’s death in the coming weeks.
Author note: Last updated June 7, 2026.