Japanese police conducted another day of searches Thursday for Auburn University student Weston Higginbotham, who went missing during a family trip to Japan. The search efforts involved officers trudging through waist-high mud, though the day ended without locating the missing student.

Higginbotham's parents have remained in Japan to assist with the search efforts. Despite the unsuccessful search on Thursday, his parents said they remain optimistic about their son's potential rescue.

The family had been on a trip to Japan when Higginbotham disappeared. Local authorities have been conducting ongoing search operations in the area where he was last seen.

The search continues as Japanese police work to locate the missing Auburn University student. His family is described as desperately looking for him while maintaining hope for his safe return.