India, June 9 -- James 'Weston' Higginbotham Death Case: The family of Auburn University student James 'Weston' Higginbotham is speaking out following the discovery of his body in a mountainous area outside Kyoto, Japan, insisting the 20-year-old would never have intentionally harmed himself.

Weston had been missing for several days during a family vacation in Japan before a volunteer search-and-rescue group located his body near Kyoto. His disappearance triggered an extensive search involving local authorities, helicopters, K-9 units, volunteers, and private rescue teams.

While officials have not publicly disclosed the circumstances surrounding his death, family friends have rejected suggestions that the Auburn student intended to hurt...