Auburn Student Dies in Kyoto Mountains After Argument With Mother Over ChatGPT and Walking Away Alone

James “Weston” Higginbotham, a 20-year-old Auburn University student, was found dead in the mountains outside Kyoto on June 6 after volunteer searchers located his body. @NBCNews reported that Higginbotham was last seen at the Kyoto train station on May 29 while traveling with his parents. He had walked away after an argument with his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, over her use of ChatGPT.

The search began after a delay caused by Typhoon Janmi, which brought flooding, landslides, and blackouts to the region. Foul play is not suspected. Audrey Daniels, 23, a longtime neighbor and family friend, told @NBCNews that Higginbotham was an experienced hiker who used long walks for decompression.

“He was definitely an experienced hiker and that was a mode of decompression for him as well,” she said. Jennifer Harper Bowen, 39, whose son also studies at Auburn, said she does not believe Higginbotham intended to harm himself. “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,” Bowen said.

“I don’t think he intentionally ran away or tried to harm himself or anything like that. ” Higginbotham was wearing a “Save the Bees” T-shirt when he went missing. Daniels said he had a big heart for friends, family, strangers, and the environment.

“He was definitely, definitely compassionate,” she said. Higginbotham studied biosystems engineering and was devoted to sustainable design, according to loved ones. Nancy Higginbotham described him as a pacifist who would carry spiders and insects outside rather than harm them.

She also said he opposed the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Hoover Mayor Nick Derzis called Higginbotham a young man of remarkable character with a deep love for the outdoors. “He touched everyone who knew him,” Derzis said in a statement.