Overview
- The 20-year-old junior disappeared after separating from his family on May 29 during a trip to Kyoto following an argument, his family and multiple news outlets reported.
- Family tracking data from the Life360 app and CCTV footage placed him moving through the Yamashina area toward forested hiking trails before his phone location stopped updating.
- Kyoto police carried out an intensive 72-hour search involving more than 100 officers, K-9 units and helicopters but operations were hindered by heavy rain and muddy, steep terrain.
- After official search resources were scaled back the family hired private teams and worked with local volunteers, and a volunteer search-and-rescue group found his body on Saturday, June 6, the family said.
- Local police have not released a cause of death and investigators continue forensic work while the family and Auburn University mourn and have asked for privacy.