The body of James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, was discovered by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside Kyoto on Saturday, bringing an end to a week-long search that had drawn international attention, according to CNN.

Weston had been missing since May 29, when he walked away from his family during a trip in Japan following an argument with his mother over her use of ChatGPT. The search had taken place through typhoon-affected, heavily forested terrain.

His family confirmed the news in a Facebook statement, writing: “Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words.”

A “dumb, dumb argument” before his disappearance

According to his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, the disagreement that preceded Weston’s disappearance involved her use of ChatGPT to help navigate their trip.

“We had an argument because I was using ChatGPT too much to try to help us navigate the trip and find the best restaurants and do this and that,” she told CNN. “We try never to use it and I totally agree with him. It was just a dumb, dumb argument to have.”

Concerns about AI and environmental impact

Weston was described by his mother as a passionate naturalist and a self-described “lover of Mother Nature.” He reportedly objected to the family’s increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, citing concerns about environmental costs such as energy and water usage linked to large language models.

He was also a vegan and pacifist. His mother told NBC News that he “doesn’t even stomp on spiders or insects,” instead choosing to carry them outside when possible. She also said that when he became upset, he tended to withdraw rather than escalate conflict.

Last known movements and search effort

The family had been tracking Weston’s movements using the Life360 location-sharing app during the trip. His phone went offline shortly after he separated from the family and boarded a train alone while they were visiting a temple in Kyoto, his mother said.

Japanese authorities launched a 72-hour search operation across the Yamashina area, where he was last seen heading. More than 100 officers took part, supported by K-9 units and helicopters, searching dense forest terrain in difficult typhoon conditions, including mud-filled slopes.

Police concluded their official search on Friday after three days, during which they believed he may have intentionally left to explore hiking trails and had turned off his GPS.

Family-led search and discovery

After the official search ended, the Higginbotham family organized their own efforts with local residents and a hired search-and-rescue team, focusing on areas not fully covered by police.

“We know he is out in these woods somewhere,” Nancy Higginbotham wrote in a Facebook update on Saturday morning.

Later that day, a volunteer search-and-rescue group located Weston’s body in a mountainous area outside Kyoto.

Background and life of Weston Higginbotham

Weston was a junior at Auburn University in Alabama, studying biosystems engineering within the College of Agriculture, a program focused on sustainability and natural systems. He graduated from Spain Park High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

His mother said he had previously undertaken solo hiking trips, including in the Pyrenees mountains in Europe. His sister Hailey described him as deeply devoted to family and someone who often preferred solo exploration.

Nancy Higginbotham also said Weston had aspirations of becoming a healthcare professional, inspired in part by the loss of his father to a heart condition and a desire to help others with similar illnesses. The family often spent time together hiking, mountain biking, and white-water rafting.

International support during the search

Throughout the search operation, the family expressed gratitude for assistance from Japanese police, U.S. diplomats, FBI personnel, and officials from Alabama. A U.S. State Department spokesperson previously said the department had “no higher priority than the safety of Americans.”

Family statement after confirmation

After the discovery, the family thanked supporters who had followed the case and assisted in efforts to find him.

“The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives,” they wrote on Facebook. “Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support. We will need them now more than ever. We will always love you, Weston.”