James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham Dies: US Student Found Dead in Mountainous Forests Outside Japan’s Kyoto After Days-Long Search

Search-and-rescue volunteers in Japan have found the body of 20-year-old Auburn University student James "Weston" Higginbotham, bringing a tragic end to an intensive search effort that spanned several days in the mountainous forests outside Kyoto.

Weston had been missing since May 29 while vacationing in Japan with his family. His disappearance prompted a large-scale search involving police officers, K-9 units, helicopters and later volunteer rescue teams, as authorities worked to trace his last known movements. Saketh Sreenivasaiah Found Dead: Indian Student’s Body Recovered After Going Missing in US.

James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham Found Dead in Japan

The Higginbotham family announced the news in a social media post on Saturday. "Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words," the family wrote.

The family did not disclose additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding his death. Following the discovery, they thanked the many people who assisted in the search effort and supported them during the ordeal. 'US Visa Is a Privilege, Not a Right': US Embassy in India Issues Warning for Student Visa Holders; Know How Legal Violations Could Cost Students Their Visas.

"The outpouring of kindness and support has 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."

James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham Went Missing During Family Vacation

According to his family, Weston was visiting Japan with his parents and brother when he decided to explore Kyoto on his own on May 29. Family members said he was a passionate naturalist with a love for hiking and outdoor exploration.

Using the Life360 location-sharing application, his parents were initially able to track his movements as he travelled by train and visited several stores in the city. However, they later noticed that his location-sharing function had been turned off, something his mother described as unusual behaviour. Concern grew after attempts to determine his whereabouts proved unsuccessful.

Last Known Sighting Near Hiking Trail

Investigators later reviewed CCTV footage that showed Weston walking alone in Kyoto's Yamashina area. Authorities said the footage placed him near a path leading toward hiking trails in the surrounding wooded hills.

Given his interest in nature and hiking, police focused search efforts on nearby forested terrain. The operation faced additional challenges when severe weather moved into the region, bringing heavy rain and strong winds shortly after his disappearance.

Officials expressed concern that the conditions could pose significant risks if he had remained in the mountains during the storm. Police launched an intensive search operation involving more than 100 personnel, search dogs and aerial support.

The official search continued for approximately 72 hours before concluding on Friday. Following the end of the police operation, the family organised additional search efforts with the help of local residents and a private search-and-rescue team.

The group focused on areas of the Yamashina forests that had not been covered during the initial police search. "We know he is out in these woods somewhere," Weston's mother, Nancy Higginbotham, wrote in a Facebook update before his body was discovered.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 06, 2026 11:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).