India, June 6 -- An Auburn University student, who was reported missing during a family vacation in Japan, has been found deceased.

The family confirmed in a Facebook post on Saturday that 20-year-old James "Weston" Higginbotham was discovered dead by a volunteer search-and-rescue team in a mountainous region near Kyoto.

"The grief we feel is impossible to put into words," his mother, Nancy Higginbotham, stated.

In a Facebook post, the Higginbotham family expressed their gratitude to everyone for their assistance and support.

"Our family is heartbroken to share that Weston was found deceased by a volunteer search-and-rescue group in a mountainous area outside of Kyoto. The grief we feel is impossible to put into words. We are forever ...