In a statement on social media<\/a> on Wednesday, June 10, Nancy Higginbotham remembered her 20-year-old son as a proud vegan who cared about the environment and sustainability.<\/p>\n \u201cWeston had an adventurous spirit whether it was skiing fearlessly right up to the point of wiping out, hitting big jumps on his mountain bike, or hiking Yosemite, the Pyrenees Mountains, Camino de Santiago, and the Swiss Alps,\u201d Nancy wrote. \u201cIf there was sunshine and outdoor adventure to be had, he was there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn his family, Weston was the adventure leader and his family followed without reservation knowing he researched the best camping spot, hidden overlook, or the most authentic restaurant and could navigate most often with only a paper map,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n Weston went on a trip last month with his family<\/a> to celebrate younger brother Grayton’s high school graduation, his family has said. They arrived in Japan on May 22 and in Kyoto three days later.<\/p>\n On the evening of May 29, Nancy previously said, she and Weston argued over her use of ChatGPT<\/a> to plan the trip so Weston decided to explore the area on his own<\/a> while the family continued their visit to a temple.<\/p>\n Authorities have said that Weston was on a train around 8:15 p.m. local time and got off at Yamashina station in Kyoto, according to his family. His phone soon lost connection<\/a> and tracking ability through the Life360 app. Messages and calls were also not going through to his phone.<\/p>\n Weston Higginbotham During the search for her son, Nancy shared updates on Facebook<\/a>. On June 6, she confirmed in a social media post<\/a> that Weston’s body was found “by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto.”<\/p>\n His cause of death has not been disclosed, but no foul play is suspected.<\/p>\n In her Wednesday tribute, Nancy wrote that her younger son looked up to Weston as the two brothers both shared interests in running, climbing, music and fashion.<\/p>\n \u201cWeston didn’t treat [Grayton] as an annoying younger brother but instead included him into his friend group,\u201d Nancy wrote.<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a> to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n She also highlighted Weston’s love for music and sense of adventure that included him studying abroad and competing in a half marathon.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople who met Weston loved him and he loved them right back,\u201d she wrote. \u201cHe was inclusive to everyone and had lifelong friends from all backgrounds and walks of life. He was kind and respectful to others with a quick yes ma’am or no ma’am always in his back pocket. If a friend, neighbor, or stranger needed a helping hand, he was the kind of person who showed up without hesitation.\u201d<\/p>\n Weston studied biosystems engineering with a focus on sustainability at Auburn, where he worked for its research department, Nancy wrote.<\/p>\n He was also a member of the school’s climbing and triathlon teams and had planned to visit Bolivia in August to oversee a water distribution project at a local village.<\/p>\n In addition to Nancy and Grayton, Weston is survived by his father, Keith, and other extended family.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was so kind and loved his family and friends and felt most grounded in nature,\u201d Nancy wrote.<\/p>\n Instead of flowers, mourners can make a donation to the James “Weston” Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship<\/a> for ecological engineering at Auburn, according to Nancy.<\/p>\n Weston’s visitation and funeral service are scheduled for June 17 in Birmingham, Ala., she wrote.<\/p>\n And, she wrote, \u201cTo honor Weston’s memory, take a walk at a state park, eat a vegan meal this week, stop and admire the sunset, tell those close to you how much you love them, and reduce the noise in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Weston](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/37f09deca8027b92872bfdadb107037f.jpeg\"\/)
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Credit: nancy higginbotham\/Facebook<\/p>\n