Auburn Student, 20, Missing in Japan for 7 Days After ChatGPT Argument
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 5
Auburn Student, 20, Missing in Japan for 7 Days After ChatGPT Argument
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 5
Summary
Day 7 of the search prompted James “Weston” Higginbotham’s mother to urge hikers and trail runners in Kyoto to help police find the 20-year-old Auburn student.
Kyoto police said Higginbotham left his hotel on May 29 and was captured on security footage walking alone in Yamashina before entering a mountainous forest area near Kyoto.
Heavy rain from a typhoon delayed the search until Wednesday; officers have since searched northern Yamashina, while dogs, helicopters and local volunteers were deployed and tips continued to come in.
Nancy Higginbotham said her son walked away during a family trip after an argument over her use of ChatGPT, describing him as emotionally distressed but not a danger to himself or others.
The family said the search zone has water but little food, making time critical even as they praised Japanese authorities as thorough and said they still have hope.