Key facts
- James "Weston" Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, was found dead in Japan.
- He went missing on May 29 during a family trip.
- Higginbotham was last seen near Yamashina Station, east of Kyoto.
American student found dead in Japan after going missing
IN SHORT
James "Weston" Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, was found dead in a mountainous area outside Kyoto, Japan, after going missing on May 29. His mother confirmed the discovery, stating a volunteer group found his body. The circumstances are under investigation.
Key Numbers
20-year-oldage of missing student
May 29date student went missing
Who's Involved
James "Weston" Higginbotham
20-year-old Auburn University student found dead in Japan
Nancy Higginbotham
Mother of James "Weston" Higginbotham, confirmed his death
volunteer search-and-rescue group
Discovered the body of James "Weston" Higginbotham
Auburn University
University attended by James "Weston" Higginbotham
↳ Why This Matters
The death of a young American student abroad highlights the risks and complexities of international travel and the emotional toll on families when a loved one goes missing in a foreign country.