James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old student at Auburn University, has tragically been found dead after going missing for eight days during a family trip to Japan. His family confirmed the heartbreaking news on Saturday through a Facebook post by his mother, Nancy Higginbotham. She revealed that Weston was discovered deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue team in a mountainous region near Kyoto. The family had traveled to Japan to celebrate the high school graduation of Weston’s younger brother. On May 29, Weston opted to remain at their hotel instead of accompanying his family to a temple visit, intending to explore Kyoto alone. His mother mentioned a disagreement over her use of ChatGPT prior to his disappearance, adding to the family's distress. In her emotional message, Nancy expressed her family's overwhelming grief and appreciation for the time they shared with Weston, stating that they cannot fathom life without him. The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with solo travel, particularly in unfamiliar terrains.