World3 min(s) read
Published 08:55 07 Jun 2026 GMT
After the body of a student who went missing while on a family holiday in Japan was found, his best friend has revealed the last text messages he sent.
Auburn University student, James 'Weston' Higginbotham, 20, had embarked on the trip of a lifetime, exploring Kyoto, with his family last month. He went missing one day after setting out alone to explore Japan’s mountainous region.
Weston was last spotted at Kyoto station at around 6PM on May 29. He remained missing for over a week as public appeals and searches took place.
Tragically, the young man’s mom, Nancy Higginbotham, shared an update no parent should ever have to write on June 6.
She wrote on Facebook: "Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words.
"We are forever grateful for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston, but cannot begin to understand what life without him will be like."
Nancy continued the post, thanking those who partook in the search, saying: "We are deeply grateful to the countless people across the United States, Japan, and around the world who shared Weston’s story, prayed for our family, offered encouragement, and helped in the search efforts.
"The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives."
On May 22, just a few days before Weston went missing, he and his family met up with his friend Hiyu Shikari, who had recently relocated to Japan after going to school with Weston.
Recalling the time they spent together to The US Sun, Hiyu shared: "We had such a great time at a restaurant in Shinjuku, which is in Tokyo.
"Right after that, I tried to contact him on how he was doing in Kyoto, because I was in Kyoto a couple of weeks ago, and also the typhoon was coming as I was kind of worried, and I messaged him, ‘How’s the trip going?’
“And that was after he went missing. And so I didn’t get any contact with him after I met him."
His final text to Weston read: "Good evening! How’s the stay going? Hopefully yall are having a good time in Kyoto! Lmk [Let me know] if you need me to recommend you any places [sic]."
It is still unclear if the message was ever successfully delivered to Weston's phone.
Following the widespread media campaign to find Weston, since he has been declared deceased, the family has asked for privacy.
Weston’s mother ended her heartbreaking post announcing her son’s death with: "Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. We will need them now more than ever.
"We will always love you, Weston."
