American missing in Japan found dead in mountainous area near Kyoto

American Student Missing in Japan Found Dead in Mountainous Area Near Kyoto

American missing in Japan found dead - A 20-year-old Auburn University student, who had been missing in Japan for over a week, was discovered deceased by search teams in a mountainous region near Kyoto, according to Nancy Higginbotham's Facebook post on Saturday. The parents of James "Weston" Higginbotham, an Alabama native, shared the news after volunteers located the body during their efforts.

"The grief we feel is impossible to put into words," Nancy Higginbotham said Saturday.

Weston Higginbotham was reported missing on May 29 during a family trip, following his failure to respond to messages and deactivation of his location tracking, as per authorities. His disappearance sparked a search that expanded across the rugged terrain near Kyoto. A still image from social media, released on June 3, 2026, captures Weston Higginbotham in an unspecified location, highlighting his absence.

"We shared our story here and in the media in the hope of finding Weston," Nancy Higginbotham said. "We now ask for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss."

Investigators in Japan suggested it is highly likely Weston Higginbotham left his family intentionally, though the police expressed concern for his safety. Kyoto Prefectural Police told ABC News that his lack of Japanese language skills and unfamiliarity with the area may have contributed to the situation. Authorities aim to determine the cause of death, which remains unclear, while reviewing evidence from his final movements, including items left behind and CCTV footage.

Police Investigate Possible Intentional Departure

Following the discovery, officials stated that Weston's actions after leaving the hotel were under scrutiny. The family has been interviewed, and his path was traced through various sources to understand the circumstances of his vanishing. The parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, addressed the situation in a social media video released on June 3, 2026, speaking from an unidentified location.