Hannah Kobayashi: What you should know about Hawaii woman who declared self missing
The disappearance of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi, who went missing in Los Angeles in early November, has become a highly emotional and complex case.
Here’s everything you need to know, broken down into eight key facts:
The Disappearance On the morning of November 8, 2024, 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi, a resident of Maui, Hawaii, missed her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and was last seen at The Grove, a popular shopping complex in Los Angeles. Family members were alerted when texts from Hannah’s phone began to raise concerns. One of her messages read, “I just finished a very intense emotional awakening. I’m heading back to the airport to get to NYC. I might need some help getting there.”
Aunt’s Growing Concern Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, expressed her deep concern about the situation. “Things started to get nefarious and scary on Monday when it went from ‘I can’t see you. I’m so excited,’ to texts about people stealing her identity,” Pidgeon recalled. This marked a shift in Hannah’s usual communication style, signaling that something was wrong.
New Developments from LAPD On November 24, 2024, LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell revealed that, after reviewing surveillance footage from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, it was confirmed that Hannah crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone and appeared unbothered. This led the LAPD to classify the case as voluntary, with no signs of foul play or trafficking.
The Heartbreaking Loss of Hannah’s Father Just days after the LAPD’s announcement, the Kobayashi family received devastating news: Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead near LAX. Authorities later determined he had died by suicide. His sister, Larie Pidgeon, described the shock as “unrealistic trauma,” compounding the family’s distress.
Family Takes Action Despite the tragic loss, the Kobayashi family continued their search for Hannah. Relatives traveled from New York to Los Angeles, distributing fliers and canvassing areas where Hannah was last seen. Their persistence kept public attention focused on the case.
Kobayashi’s Trip Reports indicate that Hannah used her passport to board a bus to Mexico on November 12, 2024, just one day after her family reported her missing. Although the family had hoped for a different outcome, these developments pointed to Hannah voluntarily leaving the country.
LAPD’s Statement on the Case Chief McDonnell emphasized the challenges the police faced: “We’ve basically done everything we can do at this point. She’s left the country and is in another nation now.” His words left the family feeling helpless, but they continue to hold out hope that Hannah is safe.
Family’s Ongoing Plea for Hannah’s Return Despite LAPD’s assessment, the family maintains that Hannah did not intend to miss her flight. They have disputed claims that she skipped her flight intentionally and remain concerned for her safety. “Things are bad, and I am terrified for her safety,” Pidgeon said, expressing their ongoing concern.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to monitor her situation. As the Kobayashi family holds onto hope, the public continues to rally behind their search for answers.