# Missing Auburn student found dead in Japan, mother says

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/missing-auburn-student-found-dead-in-japan-mother-says
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/missing-auburn-student-found-dead-in-japan-mother-says.md
Podcast: [Murder Files Unsealed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed-6698983)
Published: 2026-06-06T17:46:57+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/missing-auburn-student-found-dead-in-japan-mother-says--72391822
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72391822/missing_in_kyoto_after_an_ai_argument.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/murder-files-unsealed-6698983/episodes/missing-auburn-student-found-dead-in-japan-mother-says
Duration seconds: 1718

## Resource

The episode details the tragic disappearance and death of James “Weston” Higginbotham, a twenty-year-old Auburn University student who went missing during a family trip to Kyoto, Japan, in 2026. After a brief disagreement regarding technology, the young environmental advocate ventured alone into a mountainous forested area, sparking an intensive week-long search involving international authorities and local volunteers. Despite a massive rescue operation hampered by severe typhoon weather, his body was eventually discovered by a search-and-rescue group. The narrative highlights his passion for sustainability, the profound grief of his family, and the inherent risks associated with hiking in unfamiliar foreign territories. It serves as both a memorial to a promising life and a sobering reminder of the importance of travel safety and mental health awareness. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/murder-files-unsealed--6017387/support . This episode includes AI-generated content.

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## Transcript

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