Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
Over a month has elapsed since the disappearance of a 30-year-old woman was reported. Although she has been located ‘safe and well’, her father tragically passed away during the search effort.
Hannah Kobayashi was scheduled to meet her family in New York, having departed from Maui, Hawaii. She missed her connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport to NYC on November 8 and was last contacted on November 11.
The budding photographer reportedly sent a message indicating she had a ‘spiritual awakening’ and was seen with an unidentified man three days later, leading to concerns of a possible abduction.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, traveled to Los Angeles to aid in finding her, but on November 24, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that he was discovered deceased in a car park near the airport, suspected to be a suicide.
On November 26, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell informed the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners that they believed Hannah intentionally missed her flight and had disappeared ‘voluntarily’. The family, however, disputed this assertion.
On December 2, Hannah was seen crossing into Mexico, leading authorities to update the case status to ‘voluntarily’ missing.
It wasn’t until December 11 that an update emerged, confirming Hannah was found ‘safe and well’ in Mexico.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful Hannah has been found safe,” the family shared in a statement with MailOnline.
The following day, on December 16, authorities closed the missing person case as Hannah returned to the U.S., with Customs and Border Protection noting she seemed in ‘good health’ and not in distress.
Hannah has now spoken through a statement released via her aunt Larie Pidgeon to People, following her sister’s comments on the ‘betrayal’ the family experienced.
The statement reads: “At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States.
“My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.
“I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline available 24/7.