The mother of Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham has shared a heartbreaking message as her family prepares to leave Japan following the discovery of her son’s body after a week-long search. Weston, 20, had been vacationing in Japan with his family when he disappeared, setting off an international effort to find him.
Weston was found dead on June 6 in a wooded area near Kyoto, ending days of hope, fear, and uncertainty for his loved ones. His disappearance had drawn attention from people in both the United States and Japan, with many following the search and offering prayers to the family.
His mother, Nancy Higginbotham, posted an emotional update on Facebook on Thursday as the family prepared to leave Japan. She wrote that they were leaving with immense pain, but also with gratitude for the support they had received from Japanese citizens, friends, government officials, and businesses.
Nancy said the family would be forever grateful for the love, prayers, and support shown to them during one of the most painful moments of their lives. Her message reflected both deep grief and appreciation for the people who helped them while they were far from home.
Auburn University also honored Weston by flying its flag at half-staff, a gesture Nancy publicly thanked the school for. The tribute showed how deeply the loss was felt not only by his family, but also by the Auburn community where Weston had been building his future.
Earlier in the week, Nancy shared details about her son’s funeral service, which is scheduled for June 17 in Birmingham, Alabama. In her tribute, she described Weston as kind, adventurous, and deeply connected to nature, saying he lit up every room with his charismatic smile.
She also wrote about his passion for protecting the environment and living with purpose. Weston was a proud vegan who cared about sustainability, carried reusable items, and made a conscious effort to reduce waste wherever he went.
Nancy remembered her son as the adventure leader of the family, someone who loved skiing, mountain biking, and hiking in beautiful places around the world. She said that if there was sunshine and outdoor adventure to be found, Weston wanted to be there.
To honor his life, the family plans to establish the James “Weston” Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship Fund for ecological engineering at Auburn University. Nancy also encouraged people to remember Weston by taking a walk in a state park, eating a vegan meal, watching a sunset, telling loved ones how much they matter, and reducing the noise in their lives.
Weston had traveled to Japan with his family from Alabama on May 22 and was last seen on May 30 after separating from relatives in Kyoto. His phone later lost battery, contact was cut off, and a week-long search began, ending in a loss that has left his family carrying both grief and gratitude as they return home without him.
