James 'Weston' Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student from Auburn University, disappeared in Japan while exploring Kyoto alone on May 29. Following a disagreement with his mother regarding navigation technology, Weston decided to venture out independently. His last known sighting was captured on CCTV in the Yamashina area, a mountainous region, around 8 p.m. that evening. After failing to locate him, his family reported him missing to local authorities on May 30. A police search commenced shortly after, involving over 100 officers, helicopters, and K-9 units but was hindered by severe weather conditions. The police concluded their search on June 5, prompting the Higginbotham family to initiate their own search efforts with local volunteers and a hired rescue team. They are focusing on a 5-mile radius around the area where Weston was last seen. The family remains committed to finding Weston, utilizing social media to raise awareness and garner support from the community.