FRIENDS of the American college student found dead in Japan have shared why they believe he was alone in the woods before his disappearance.

James “Weston” Higginbotham, 20, went missing on a dream family vacation on May 29, sparking a desperate days-long search.

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Weston, who went missing in Japan, shared vacation photos on social media before he was found deadCredit: Instagram
 

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Weston Higginbotham is seen with his parents and younger brother on a trip before his deathCredit: Facebook/Nancy Higginbotham

His mom Nancy announced on social media that his body had been discovered on Saturday at around 2:35pm by a volunteer search-and-rescue crew in a mountainous area of Kyoto’s Yamashina Ward.

His cause of death has not been released, but police told CNN that foul play has been ruled out.

The Auburn University student separated from his family, including his dad Keith and younger brother, Graydon, after a disagreement with his mom over her use of ChatGPT on the trip.

Weston, a passionate environmentalist, is thought to have headed off to explore Kyoto alone while his family visited a temple.

Missing student found dead after vanishing on family vacation to Japan

They believe he was heading to local hiking trails but misjudged how dangerous it was as the weather turned before a typhoon hit – which later affected the search.

He reportedly left around 6pm on May 29 and at 8:29pm, his phone lost network.

Weston was last seen on CCTV around 8:00pm walking alone in the Yamashina district along a path that led directly to a local hiking trail heading into the nearby woods.

He was said to have visited a local hardware store before taking the journey and he was later reported missing at 2am after calls and texts went unanswered.

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Family friend Jennifer Harper Bowen told NBC she doesn’t believe Higginbotham would have sought to harm himself.

She said, “He was upset and he wanted space, so I don’t think he turned his phone off because he didn’t want to be found. He turned his phone off because he was upset.

“I don’t think he intentionally ran away or tried to harm himself or anything like that. I think this is just a very bad set of circumstances and very bad timing.”

His mom also told CNN, “It’s not unusual for Weston to blow off steam going to the woods and just exploring. That’s his happy place.”

Close friend Audrey Daniels, 23, told NBC, “He was definitely an experienced hiker and that was a mode of decompression for him as well.”

Weston was last seen wearing a “Save the Bees” T-shirt and Daniels described him as a compassionate young man.

She said, “He had such a big heart for his friends and family, for strangers, and especially, of course, for the environment.”

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James “Weston” Higginbotham seen with his mom Nancy who has been left heartbroken by his sudden deathCredit: Instagram
 

Illustration of a map detailing the timeline and locations related to the disappearance and discovery of James "Weston" Higginbotham in Japan.
“I’m going to remember him as such a fun kid to be around.

“He was extremely smart, extremely well-rounded guy. Whenever he was at the house, it was such a joy to see him.”

“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,” the family wrote in a post on social media.

“We are forever grateful for the time we had with our sweet, precious Weston, but cannot begin to understand what life without him will be like,” his mother, Nancy, also added in the social media post.

“We are deeply grateful to the countless people across the United States, Japan, and around the world who shared Weston’s story, prayed for our family, offered encouragement, and helped in the search efforts.

“The outpouring of kindness and support has carried us through the darkest days of our lives.

“We shared our story here and in the media in the hope of finding Weston.

“We now ask for privacy as we begin to navigate this unimaginable loss.”

Weston’s grandmother previously told The U.S. Sun that the college student was a nature lover and experienced outdoorsman, insisting his disappearance was out of character for him.

“I just want my grandson to come home,” Judy Higginbotham said from her home in Alabama.

“My grandson is very knowledgeable of the woods, and he camps, and all that. This is not like my Weston.”

The family met up with Weston’s childhood friend, 20-year-old Hiyu Shikari during their trip who hadn’t seen him since they went to school together in the US.

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“I would just like to say let Weston rest in peace in heaven and my deepest condolences to his family,” Shiraki told The U.S. Sun following the news of his friend’s death.

“He was such a wonderful friend and I am truly heartbroken that their trip had turned out this way.”