Phone Went Dark at Yamashina Station: Parents Reveal Last Message from Missing Auburn Student James “Weston” Higginbotham.
James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student from Hoover, Alabama, vanished on May 29, 2026, while on a family vacation in Kyoto, Japan. What began as a celebratory trip has turned into a nightmare for his parents, Keith and Nancy Higginbotham, who have flown to Japan to join the intensive search for their son. Weston’s phone location services were deliberately turned off shortly after he disembarked from a train at Yamashina Station, leaving authorities and family racing against time in the wooded trails east of Kyoto.
The Higginbotham family arrived in Japan on May 22 to celebrate academic achievements. On the evening of May 29, after dinner in Kyoto, Weston decided to explore alone. CCTV footage captured him at Kyoto Station around 8:15 p.m. local time before he boarded a train. He was last confirmed getting off at Yamashina Station in eastern Kyoto shortly after. About 14 minutes later, his phone’s location signal went dark around 8:29 p.m. Family members sent messages asking what he was doing but received no reply.
In emotional public statements, Nancy Higginbotham revealed the content of the last known communication from her son. The message was brief and reflected someone who needed space, mentioning he was going for a walk to clear his head after some family tensions during the extended trip. Parents noted he may have been emotionally distressed, describing the situation as “living in our own hell.” They emphasized that Weston is not the type to disappear after partying and urged the public to be kind while sharing information.
Weston is described as 6-foot-1 with long blonde hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white “Save the Bees” T-shirt, lavender corduroy pants, and Adidas sneakers with black stripes, carrying a beige Alabama bag. An experienced hiker and excellent navigator, he is believed to have headed toward the many nature trails around Yamashina, including areas near Mount Otowa, Lake Biwa Canal, and Bishamon-do. Japanese police have focused searches on the heavily wooded terrain north of the station, deploying dozens of officers, K-9 units, and helicopters.
Despite intense efforts, including searches on June 3 that continued into rainy conditions, no trace of Weston has been found. The family remains in Japan, working closely with local authorities and the U.S. Embassy. Auburn University has also offered support. Nancy has pleaded for tips from anyone in the Kyoto, Yamashina, Otsu, or Lake Biwa areas, asking people to check hotels, hostels, internet cafes, convenience stores, and hiking paths.
Weston is a junior studying biosystems engineering at Auburn. Described by his family as having “a heart of gold,” he is a vegan, well-traveled, and known for his kindness and adventurous spirit. Friends from Spain Park High School and his fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon have rallied online, sharing memories and urging anyone with information to come forward.
The case has drawn international attention, with many speculating about possible scenarios: a hiking accident, intentional withdrawal due to emotional distress, or an encounter with someone in the remote trails. Police continue to review additional CCTV and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen Weston after he left Yamashina Station. His last known purchase was reportedly at a hardware store, adding another small detail to the timeline.
As parents Keith and Nancy join ground searches, they have expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from both American and Japanese communities. “We will not lose hope,” Keith said in a video message. The family continues to believe Weston is out there and needs help finding his way back. They have asked people not to post exact locations publicly if spotted, to avoid interfering with rescue efforts.
This disappearance highlights the challenges of searching for a missing person in a foreign country with language barriers and unfamiliar terrain. Experts note that Yamashina’s mix of urban station and dense mountain trails can be disorienting, especially at night or in poor weather. The fact that Weston turned off his location services voluntarily suggests he wanted privacy, but the prolonged silence has raised serious concerns.
The Higginbothams have set up ways for the public to share tips safely. Social media has become a vital tool, with posts circulating widely across platforms. Weston’s story has united Auburn alumni, Alabama residents, and international travelers in calls for information.
As searches resume in the coming days, the focus remains on bringing Weston home safely. His parents’ revelation of the final message underscores a young man who may have been struggling quietly amid what was meant to be a joyful family vacation. The trails around Yamashina, beautiful yet unforgiving, now hold the key to solving this mystery.
For the Higginbotham family, every passing hour deepens the pain, but their determination grows stronger. Weston’s love for the outdoors and navigation skills give them hope he is sheltering somewhere safe. The world watches and waits for good news from the forests near Kyoto — a young American student whose last known steps led into the unknown.