The disappearance of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi, a Maui resident who vanished while in Los Angeles, has become a story of heartbreak and unanswered questions.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) maintains she is voluntarily missing, despite her family believing her disappearance is uncharacteristic, according to the department’s announcement on Monday, December 1.
Highlights
- The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) released a new update about Hannah Kobayashi.
- The 30-year-old woman had disappeared last month after sending "cryptic" messages to her family.
- In an update provided on Monday, December 1, the LAPD determined that she is a voluntarily missing person.
- The police also acquired footage of her “crossing United States border on foot into Mexico.”
“As the family is aware, late yesterday after traveling to the US-Mexico border we reviewed video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing United States border on foot into Mexico,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said in a news conference.
Hannah Kobayashi, a Maui resident, vanished a few days after landing in Los Angeles for a layover
Image credits: Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi / Facebook
Image credits: Larie Ingrum
[Trigger warning: This story contains details of suicide that may be distressing to some]
“She was alone, with her luggage, and appeared unharmed,” he added.
The police said their investigation will not be continuing in Mexico. They also acquired video footage of Hannah picking up her luggage from LAX on November 11 after requesting for them to be returned from New York.
“To date the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity,” the chief continued. “She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices but we also understand that the concern her loved ones feel for her.”
The 30-year-old was on her way to New York but never boarded her connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Image credits: Missing People In America
Image credits: Help Us Find Hannah
It was in November when the search for Hannah began. The woman had traveled from Maui to New York City on November 8 and was planning to reunite her with her aunt. The trip had a layover at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but Hannah never boarded the connecting flight to New York.
She had purchased the tickets with an ex-boyfriend before their breakup, and they decided to proceed with their respective travel plans despite the split. Their plan was to part ways in New York.
The last confirmed sighting of Hannah was on November 11 at the Pico Metro Station near Crypto.com Arena. She was seen with an unidentified individual, raising more questions about her safety.
Hannah texted family about threats to her identity and finances, sending “cryptic” messages that her family described as uncharacteristic
Image credits: Hannah Kobayashi
Image credits: KHON2 News
After missing her flight, Hannah was reportedly spotted at The Grove on November 9 and 10. On the second day (Sunday, November 10), she attended a LeBron James event at the shopping center’s Nike store. Later, her phone was tracked back to LAX.
Family members received disturbing texts that Sunday. Hannah expressed fear and mentioned threats to her identity and finances.
Larie Pidgeon, Hannah's aunt, said she felt “scared” before she abruptly stopped texting family members
“She mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” said her aunt, Larie Pidgeon. “Strange, cryptic messages–things about the matrix, it was so unlike her. And then all of a sudden, no more communication.”
Among several concerning messages she sent to her family, one of them said: "I think someone’s trying to steal my identity. I’m really scared.”
Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, had traveled to LA to search for his daughter but was later found dead in a parking lot
Image credits: GoFundme
Image credits: KCAL News
The family also maintained that Hannah’s text messages didn’t sound like her at all. Her communication with them abruptly came to an end at some point.
Meanwhile, Hannah’s father Ryan Kobayashi had traveled to LA to join the search for his daughter. His desperation was evident in his public pleas for her return.
“I miss her. Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out – anything,” he told a local news station.
“I miss her. Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out – anything,” the deceased father said before his body was found
Image credits: sydneysteeze
Image credits: Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi / Facebook
In a tragic turn of events, Ryan’s body was found in a parking lot about two weeks after his daughter disappeared. A medical examiner confirmed that the 58-year-old father died by suicide.
A caller "indicated [that] it looked like somebody had fallen or jumped from the seventh [story of] a parking structure,” an LA police spokesperson told People.
On Tuesday, November 26, LA police chief Jim said their investigation determined that Hannah had intentionally missed her flight to New York.
“Hannah, if you happen to see this, know that we are not going to give up or stop searching until we find you,” her sister and mother said in a statement
Image credits: sydnisteeze/Sydni Kobayashi
Image credits: Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi / Facebook
“We remain fully committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate their way through this tragedy,” Jim said in a meeting.
A couple of days later, Hannah’s sister, Sydni Kobayashi, and mother released a statement on Facebook on November 30, saying it is “completely out of character for Hannah to simply disappear without a trace.”
“We are devastated by Hannah’s disappearance and now my father Ryan’s passing. … We remain deeply concerned about Hannah’s safety, her well-being and her current state of mind,” the statement said.
LAPD announced on Monday, December 1, that she is voluntarily missing and was captured “crossing United States border on foot into Mexico”
Image credits: LAPDPIO
Image credits: Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi / Facebook
The sister and mother also included a message for Hannah in the statement.
“Hannah, if you happen to see this, know that we are not going to give up or stop searching until we find you,” said the worried family members. “We know that this is something you would never do on your own accord, unless you felt some type of threat or you were unwell. We know how much you love all of us, and we love you deeply.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm or suicide ideation, help is available. _International Hotlines _provide resources.
Following the latest LAPD update, some netizens believe this is a “solved case” while others felt there might be more to the story
