James “Weston” Higginbotham cause of death: A week-long search for Auburn University student James "Weston" Higginbotham concluded tragically. The 20-year-old engineering student vanished near Kyoto during a family vacation. Authorities and volunteers scoured mountainous terrain. His mother confirmed the devastating news. Higginbotham was located by a search-and-rescue team. Investigations into the cause of death are ongoing. The family expressed gratitude for global support.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

“It’s been a long, stressful day,” according to mother Nancy Higginbotham. “Today, dozens of Japanese police officers searched through waist-high mud in an effort to find Weston.