An Alabama student who was reported missing in Japan has been tragically found deceased, as confirmed by his grieving mother. Nancy Higginbotham shared the heartbreaking news of her 20-year-old son, James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, in an emotional Facebook post. His body was discovered outside Kyoto after an extensive search-and-rescue operation by a volunteer group.
Expressing deep gratitude, Nancy acknowledged the immense support received from individuals in the US, Japan, and beyond who shared Weston’s story, offered prayers, and assisted in the search efforts. The family is overwhelmed by the kindness and support during this challenging time.
The circumstances surrounding Weston’s death remain unclear. He had traveled to Japan to celebrate his brother’s graduation and was last seen on May 29. Nancy mentioned that Weston was emotionally distressed and the family had been experiencing disagreements before his disappearance.
According to Nancy, the family had decided to separate temporarily as tensions had arisen during their stay in a shared hotel room. She emphasized that Weston needed some time alone, as he found solace in nature and hiking.
Upon realizing Weston was missing, the family tracked his movements through the Life360 app, which showed his proximity to a river, visits to shops, and boarding a local train before losing signal. The last confirmed sighting captured him getting off a train at Yamashina Station on Tuesday morning.
The tragic loss of Weston has left the family devastated, and they are grateful for the outpouring of support received from communities near and far.