Tearful Alabama parents issue heartbreaking appeal after their student son vanished during trip to Japan

An Alabama family has issued a heartbreaking appeal in the search for their missing 20-year-old son, who vanished on a trip to Japan.

James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, a student at Auburn University, was last seen in Kyoto on May 29.

He traveled to the country with his family on May 25 and was last seen wearing lavender pants, a Save the Bees t-shirt, and white sneakers.

The parents have been pleading for help to find their son, who was last seen on surveillance footage getting off a train at the Yamashina Station on Tuesday morning.

In an emotional video on Tuesday, they thanked everyone who had offered support for their ‘thoughts and prayers.’

‘We truly feel them,’ said Weston’s mother, Nancy. ‘We do feel the love and the support that you guys have given us and that the community in Japan has given us as well.’

She and her husband, Keith, then renewed their pleas for help in the search.

‘Every time that you guys repost on social media, it’s an opportunity for somebody in Japan to see it,’ Nancy continued, explaining that their ‘ultimate goal is for people in Japan to see Weston’s face so they can report back to us.’

James 'Weston' Higginbotham, a student at Auburn State University, was last seen in Kyoto on May 29. He had gone to Japan with his family for vacation
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James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham, a student at Auburn State University, was last seen in Kyoto on May 29. He had gone to Japan with his family for vacation

Nancy and Keith Higginbotham shared an emotional plea for help finding their son, James 'Weston' Higginbotham
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Nancy and Keith Higginbotham shared an emotional plea for help finding their son, James ‘Weston’ Higginbotham

His parents, Keith and Nancy, are encouraging social media users to continue to share their posts in hopes someone in Japan will recognize Higginbotham (second left)
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His parents, Keith and Nancy, are encouraging social media users to continue to share their posts in hopes someone in Japan will recognize Higginbotham (second left)

The parents encouraged people to continue to share their posts about Higginbotham on social media as it is a ‘chance for somebody in Japan to see it.’

‘That’s our ultimate goal, for people in Japan to see Weston’s face, so that they can report back to us. It’s just been instrumental,’ Nancy said.

‘If you know Weston, you know what a great kid he is. He has a heart of gold, and we all want him to come back safely.’

Keith then said that the support they have received on social media thus far has got them ‘closer and closer to finding him.

‘We’re confident we’re going to find him because of everybody’s help and posting, and getting the word out so we can find the person who’s gonna find him.’

In a Facebook post sharing the video, Nancy also wrote that she and her husband have ‘been touched by the support from our friends, family, government and even those who don’t know us from the US and Japan.

‘It helps keep us positive and strong,’ she posted before pleading: ‘Please continue to pray for his safety as we search for him and please, please spread the information.’

The parents are now asking if someone spots Higginbotham to call police and then message them instead of posting his exact location.

He was last wearing a Save the Bees t-shirt and lavender pants
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He was last wearing a Save the Bees t-shirt and lavender pants

'If you know Weston, you know what a great kid he is. He has a heart of gold, and we all want him to come back safely,' his mother said. The caption 'missing' in Japanese
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‘If you know Weston, you know what a great kid he is. He has a heart of gold, and we all want him to come back safely,’ his mother said. The caption ‘missing’ in Japanese

Higginbotham, an environmental engineering student, is an avid hiker with ‘excellent’ navigation skills, Nancy said.

Japanese police sent out 50 officers on Wednesday, as well as dogs and helicopters, to search a heavily wooded area in Bishamondo and Otowa for the student.

Due to a recent typhoon, the wet ground is making it hard for police to search the area, his mother said.

Shortly before 9pm Kyoto time on Wednesday, the search concluded for the day with no signs of Higginbotham, Nancy said on Facebook.

A larger area will be searched on Thursday.

‘I want to thank the Japanese government and police, the FBI, US Embassy, our Alabama government, the wonderful Japanese volunteers, and our friends that have gone above and beyond for their support today as I know the amount of resources they are pouring into finding our son is immense,’ Nancy wrote.

‘We will continue to have hope, and we will find Weston.’

The young man is 6ft 1ins tall, has long blonde hair, blue eyes, and ‘may have been emotionally distressed,’ his parents said.

His family and friends have requested that anyone in the area search hotels, cafes, hostels, train stations, stores, and even the ‘deep woods’ for their son.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the family for comment.

SOURCE: Tearful Alabama parents issue heartbreaking appeal after their student son, 20, vanished during trip to Japan | Daily Mail Online