Warning: This article discusses topics that may be triggering for some readers, including suicide.
Following a month-long search, the GoFundMe campaign for Hannah Kobayashi has issued a message to donors after she was located safe and sound.
On November 8, Hannah, age 30, missed her flight from Los Angeles to New York. Her family grew worried after receiving text messages indicating someone was attempting to steal her identity, prompting them to report her as missing.
The search for the aspiring photographer involved her father, Ryan Kobayashi, who traveled from Maui, Hawaii to Los Angeles. Tragically, he later passed away in what is suspected to be a suicide. A GoFundMe was set up to assist with the search for Hannah and to cover funeral expenses for her father.
After Hannah was reported missing, her sister, Syndi Kobayashi, initiated a fundraiser.
The GoFundMe campaign initially stated: “While the community support have been truly astonishing, the scope and intensity of the search are expanding, and so are the expenses with them. We still have not even been able to get any answers from LAPD or LAX and feel we need to continue to push harder to expedite the process.
“We are raising money to support the continuing mission to bring Hannah home.”
Hannah has since been found safe, with the LAPD describing her disappearance as ‘voluntary’ after she was seen crossing into Mexico on foot.
The Kobayashi family issued a statement on Twitter through their attorney, expressing how ‘relieved and grateful’ they were to find Hannah ‘safe’.
The family has now updated the GoFundMe page to clarify how the donations, which total $46,481, will be managed.
In a December 4 update, Hannah’s sister extended gratitude for the support, noting that the donations assisted with providing food and hydration for volunteer search teams, transportation for the family and support team, communication devices, a media campaign to raise awareness, temporary accommodations, and on-site support for family members.
She continued: “As my late father’s next of kin, I’m solely responsible for costs associated with his passing and funeral. Your donations will also help me pay for our father’s funeral expenses.”
Despite the LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell labeling Hannah’s disappearance as ‘voluntary’, Syndi expressed that the family remains ‘extremely concerned’ since the behavior was not ‘aligned’ with her ‘character’. Consequently, the family has chosen to ‘hire an attorney and a private investigator’ and utilize ‘legal and investigative services in Mexico to locate Hannah’.
“In addition to the expenses associated with our continued search efforts, we now also anticipate significant legal costs and expenses as we continue our search for Hannah,” she elaborated.
However, the fundraiser announced it would be ‘turning donations off’ in an update released yesterday (December 12).
The message states: “We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family.
“We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.”
“We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored.”
If you or someone you know requires immediate mental health support, contact the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This confidential crisis hotline is free and accessible to everyone 24/7.