Best friend’s haunting final messages sent to student missing in Japan went unanswered
Best friend’s haunting final messages sent to student missing in Japan went unanswered
Publish Date: 2026-06-05 20:19:00
Source Domain: nypost.com
Here are a summary of the main points from the article about the missing Auburn University student, presented in an unordered list:
- Reunion in Tokyo: James “Weston” Higginbotham and his close friend Hiyu Shikari, who had known each other since middle school, reunited in Tokyo during a trip to Japan.
- Final Interaction: Their final conversation occurred after a dinner in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Shikari’s last successful text to Higginbotham inquired about his family trip.
- Disappearance: Higginbotham was last seen on May 29 during a hike in the Yamashina section of Kyoto; his cellphone last pinged when Shikari sent a follow-up message, which was never answered.
- Search Efforts: Rescue operations to find Higginbotham have been hindered by Tropical Storm Jangmim, which brought severe weather conditions and challenging terrain.
- Personal Context: Higginbotham had been arguing with his mother prior to his disappearance, reportedly due to concerns she used AI to plan their trip, which he was worried about environmentally.
- Shikari’s Concern: Shikari expressed deep concern for Higginbotham, describing him as a best friend and noting their deep discussions on various global topics.
