An Alabama student who had been reported missing in Japan was tragically found deceased, confirmed by his grieving mother, Nancy Higginbotham. In a heartfelt Facebook post, she revealed that her 20-year-old son, James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, was discovered outside Kyoto after an extensive search by volunteers. The family expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that words cannot describe the grief they are experiencing.
Nancy extended gratitude to all those who supported their family during the search for Weston, both in the US and Japan. She emphasized the overwhelming kindness and assistance received during this challenging time. The circumstances surrounding Weston’s death remain unclear. He had traveled to Japan to celebrate his brother’s graduation and went missing on May 29. Reports indicated he was emotionally distressed before his disappearance, following disagreements within the family.
According to Nancy, the family had a minor argument before deciding to separate, allowing Weston to have some time alone. She mentioned that his preferred way of coping was to spend time hiking or walking trails. When they realized he was missing, the family tracked his movements using the Life360 app, which showed his last known locations before losing signal near a river.
CCTV footage captured Weston disembarking a train at Yamashina Station, marking the final sighting of him before his body was found. The family’s devastating loss has left them in need of continued support and prayers during this difficult time.