Missing American student found dead in Japan

Search and rescue volunteers in Japan have found the body of an Auburn University student who went missing while on a family vacation, tragically ending an intense search operation that lasted several days in mountainous and forested areas.

James "Weston" Higginbotham, 20, was found dead on Saturday (6) on the outskirts of Kyoto, his family said in a post on social media.

"Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found lifeless by a volunteer search and rescue group in a mountainous area on the outskirts of Kyoto. The pain we feel is impossible to put into words," the family wrote.

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In love with nature, Weston disappeared on May 29 after leaving his parents and brother to explore Kyoto alone. Before that, he had discussed with his mother about the use of ChatGPT, and the natural resources necessary for this type of artificial intelligence to work, to help guide the family's trip.

He was last seen walking alone in the Yamashina region of Kyoto, along a trail that led to a hiking area in a nearby forest.

A 72-hour police search operation in the heavily wooded area where Weston allegedly went ended on Friday (5), according to the family. The action mobilized more than 100 police officers, sniffer dogs and helicopters.

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On Saturday, the Higginbothams began their own search efforts, with the help of local residents and a hired search and rescue team, focusing on areas of the Yamashina forests that had not been searched by police.

"We know he's somewhere in these woods," Weston's mother, Nancy Higginbotham, wrote in an update posted to Facebook Saturday morning.

After discovering the body, the family thanked everyone who shared the young man's story and helped with the search.

"The show of affection and support sustained us through the most difficult days of our lives," the family wrote. "Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you, Weston."

Source: CNN