A Japan holiday that began as a celebration has turned into an anxious search for an Alabama family after their 20-year-old son, an Auburn University student, went missing on May 29. The family is now actively involved in the search across Kyoto, working alongside local police and volunteers while also receiving support from the FBI.
Amid the ongoing search, the case has also sparked an unusual detail—his mother had been using ChatGPT to help plan parts of their travel itinerary before he disappeared.
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Family says Weston went missing after solo movement in Kyoto
The missing student, Weston Higginbotham, was travelling with his parents and younger brother in Japan to celebrate a family milestone. The trip began on May 22 and was meant to be a short cultural vacation.
According to his mother Nancy Higginbotham, things changed suddenly on May 29 after a brief disagreement during sightseeing. Weston, who is described by his family as an experienced solo traveller and nature enthusiast, decided to step away on his own.
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Family’s emotional appeal and warning about social media posts
As the search for Weston Higginbotham intensifies, the family has made a strong public appeal for responsible sharing of information online. “If you see him, please do not post his exact location publicly.”
They have urged people to immediately contact authorities instead of sharing real-time location updates on social media, saying it could interfere with search efforts or put Weston at risk.
“It’s not unusual for Weston…” — family describes his nature
“It’s not unusual for Weston to blow off steam going to the woods and just exploring. That’s his happy place,” Higginbotham told CNN. “I’m thinking … he’s just off in the woods, and he got lost.”
The family initially assumed he might have gone for one of his usual solitary walks. However, concern grew when his phone location stopped updating.
Timeline of disappearance: train stop, shops, then silence
The family said Weston was last seen moving independently after leaving Kyoto Station around 6 pm on May 29. While still in contact earlier, his phone tracking showed him stopping at a few stores before boarding another train. After that, the location suddenly turned off.
By 2 am, with no contact, the family officially reported him missing to local authorities. Weston reportedly had around 10,000 Japanese yen (approximately $62.50) and his phone battery was at 34% before the signal was lost.
CCTV sighting near Yamashina area
Local police confirmed that Weston was captured on CCTV around 8 pm, walking alone in Kyoto’s Yamashina area.
The route he took reportedly leads toward a nearby hiking trail and wooded region. Soon after, weather conditions in the region worsened as a typhoon system approached Kyoto, although officials believe he may have already moved away from the mountains by then.
Search expands: police, volunteers and FBI involved
The search operation now includes Japanese police teams, civilian volunteers, and assistance from the FBI, as the case gains international attention. The family has also circulated missing-person flyers in Japanese to help local residents identify Weston or report any sightings.
In an unexpected detail shared by the family, Nancy Higginbotham had been using ChatGPT to help plan parts of their Japan itinerary during the trip.
The mention has drawn attention online, as the family continues to focus on the ongoing search rather than speculation.
Auburn University responds
Auburn University has confirmed awareness of Weston’s disappearance and said it has been in contact with the family to offer support. The case has also been mentioned in connection with the university’s student community outreach efforts.
Search continues across Kyoto region
As of now, Weston remains missing, with search efforts continuing across urban and forested areas around Kyoto. Authorities and family members are urging anyone with information to come forward immediately as the investigation continues.
