A search that began across continents has now turned into grief for the family of James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old American student whose body was found in Japan after a days-long search.

The family of Higginbotham, a student at Auburn University from Hoover, Alabama, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post shared on Saturday, June 6. They said he was discovered by a volunteer search-and-rescue team in a mountainous area outside Kyoto.

“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,” his parents, Nancy and Keith Higginbotham, wrote. “The grief we feel is impossible to put into words.”

They added that they are “forever grateful” for the time they had with him and thanked people across the United States, Japan, and around the world who helped share his story and supported the search.

“We now ask for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss… We will always love you, Weston,” the family said.

Higginbotham was reported missing on Friday, May 29, after he went out alone to explore hiking trails during a family trip. His family said he arrived at Kyoto Station around 8:15 p.m. local time, and his phone last showed activity at 8:29 p.m. Surveillance footage later traced him to Yamashina Station, east of central Kyoto, where he was believed to be heading toward nearby trails.

Search efforts focused on wooded and mountainous terrain in the area, involving Japanese authorities, more than 100 officers, K-9 units, helicopters, and volunteers. A typhoon during the week also made the operation more difficult.

His mother previously described him as an experienced traveler, skilled navigator, avid hiker, vegan, and outdoorsman.

Authorities said there were no immediate signs of foul play in the area, though the investigation remains ongoing. A cause of death has not yet been released.

The case drew widespread attention after Higginbotham vanished during a family trip in Japan, with search teams continuing for several days before the discovery in the mountains outside Kyoto.