A 20-year-old Auburn University student from Alabama, James 'Weston' Higginbotham, has been found dead in Japan after disappearing during a family vacation, his family announced. The discovery was made on June 6, 2026, according to a statement from his mother, Michelle Higginbotham, on Facebook.
Higginbotham, a junior studying business, went missing on June 4 while hiking with his family in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture, Japan. Local authorities launched a search involving police, firefighters, and volunteers. His body was found in a remote area near the trail, the family said, without providing further details on the cause of death.
The U.S. Embassy in Tokyo confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family. Auburn University issued a statement expressing condolences, calling Higginbotham 'a beloved member of our community.' The family has requested privacy as they arrange to bring his remains back to Alabama.
