Los Angeles police announced Wednesday that Hannah Kobayashi, the Maui woman whose disappearance sparked a large-scale search, has been located and is safe.
Kobayashi went missing in Los Angeles last month after missing a connecting flight. She had planned to sightsee, but concerning text messages to her family, followed by a loss of contact, prompted a missing persons report.
Further details regarding her disappearance and recovery remain unavailable, though police previously stated she had crossed the border into Mexico voluntarily.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement expressing relief at Kobayashi’s safe return, declaring the matter now a private one and concluding their investigation.
Kobayashi’s mother and sister, in a statement released through legal counsel, were the first to publicly confirm her safe return, expressing immense relief and requesting privacy as the family heals.
Kobayashi, an aspiring photographer, was traveling to New York City for a new job and family visit on November 8th when she missed her connection in Los Angeles. She initially informed her family she was sleeping at the airport and later texted that she was exploring the city.
Her family reported her missing on November 11th after receiving unsettling and cryptic text messages, according to her aunt, Larie Pidgeon.
Pidgeon stated that communication ceased completely after these messages. Extensive searches were conducted by family, friends, and volunteers in Los Angeles.
Tragically, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had flown from Hawaii to participate in the search, was found deceased on November 24th in a parking lot near LAX. His death, confirmed by the family, was ruled a suicide.
Police revealed that Kobayashi crossed into Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing on November 12th, a day after her family reported her missing. This information was confirmed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection security footage.
According to LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Kobayashi’s departure was voluntary, driven by a desire to disconnect from modern technology.
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