06/06/2026
My heart breaks for this family.
After days of desperate searching, prayers, and hope from people around the world, the family of Auburn University student Weston Higginbotham has shared the news no one wanted to hear. Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue team in a mountainous area outside Kyoto, Japan.
In a statement, his family said they are “heartbroken” and described their grief as impossible to put into words. They expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they received from strangers, friends, volunteers, and supporters across the United States, Japan, and beyond who shared Weston’s story, prayed for his safe return, and helped search for answers.
There are simply no words that can ease the pain of losing a child.
