Home / Lifestyle / Family Honors Vibrant Auburn Student After Japan Tragedy
Family Honors Vibrant Auburn Student After Japan Tragedy
17 Jun
Summary
- Auburn University student James Higginbotham died in Japan.
- He was found deceased after a week-long search.
- Donations are requested for his ecological engineering scholarship.
The family of James "Weston" Higginbotham is mourning his loss after the 20-year-old Auburn University student was found deceased in Japan. Weston disappeared for a week in Kyoto during a family trip intended to celebrate his brother's graduation.
His mother confirmed his death on June 6, stating he was discovered by a search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area near Kyoto. Local authorities do not suspect foul play. Weston was a junior studying Biosystems Engineering with a focus on sustainability.
He was remembered at a funeral service on June 17 in Birmingham, Ala. Loved ones described him as a gifted athlete and student with a charismatic smile and adventurous spirit. He was passionate about environmentalism and sustainability.
The family has returned to the U.S. and is grateful for the support received. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged for the James "Weston" Higginbotham Endowed Scholarship for ecological engineering at Auburn.
