James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old engineering student from Auburn University, has been missing in Japan since May 29, 2026. During a vacation with his family, an argument about his mother’s use of ChatGPT occurred, which his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, described as a “sore subject.” She used ChatGPT frequently to navigate through Japan, a country she found difficult to manage, contrasting her son’s environmentally conscious stance. Weston, passionate about sustainability engineering, held concerns about AI’s water usage and its impact on resources.
On May 29, Weston decided to remain at their accommodation while his family visited a temple in Kyoto. Later that day, his family noticed his location change on a tracking app but received no response to their messages. His last known location was exiting the Yamashina train station. His family believes he intended to hike a nearby trail; Weston is known for his love of hiking.
“My fear is that he got hurt and he’s stuck,” Nancy Higginbotham expressed. “He might not have enough food, even if there is water available. Those mountains and forests are vast and dense.”
A family photo shared on Facebook shows James “Weston” Higginbotham, originating from Alabama, who disappeared near Kyoto.
Search Efforts
Nancy Higginbotham reported that local police have paused their search. They dedicated three days to searching the area intensively, involving 100 officers, K9 units, and helicopters without success.
The family plans to engage a professional search and rescue team in Japan, estimating costs over $100,000, determined to stay until he is found. “We have complete confidence that we are going to find him,” stated Weston’s father, Keith Higginbotham.