Hannah Kobayashi is speaking out.
After six months of being missing and sparking a nationwide search that captured everyone’s attention, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who tirelessly worked on my case. Their dedication and perseverance have not gone unnoticed.
Hannah expressed her gratitude in a recently deleted Instagram video, which was reported by The Daily Mail on May 19th. She wanted to thank everyone who spared their time and effort to search for her. She said, ‘I am truly grateful.’ This heartfelt sentiment means the world to her.
As a devoted follower who hails from Hawaii, I felt compelled to share my feelings following the tragic loss of my father, Ryan Kobayashi, during search efforts, as reported by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. To convey this sentiment more effectively, I chose to create a video message.
Each day is truly a precious blessing, more so following the hardship, sorrow, and anguish we’ve experienced. It’s crucial that we all cultivate kindness towards each other as a result.
Hannah, who was reported missing by her family on November 12 following her failure to board her connecting flight to New York City on the 11th, was eventually found in Mexico and brought back to the U.S. on December 15, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department at that time. (The LAPD changed her case status to “voluntary missing person” on December 2 after she appeared well and seemed to be alone.)
Eventually, she intends to reveal additional information concerning her disappearance. In an interview with SFGate on May 19, she acknowledged that certain individuals might prefer to portray her in a less favorable manner.
She expressed, ‘I’m well aware of who I am and my true self; at some point, I will reveal this. I strongly feel that everyone can develop more empathy towards each other, for we often don’t fully understand another person’s journey unless we’ve walked in their footsteps.’
Ever since the authorities declared the case closed, the photographer has faced a barrage of criticism regarding her absence, particularly after the sudden passing of her father.
Following a comment on a May 3 post suggesting Hannah didn’t attend a certain funeral, she responded by mentioning that there may be more details to the situation that people aren’t aware of.
She went on to share her personal journey and advocate against the negativity she faced, “I wish for you to find kindness and understanding instead of harshness and criticism, especially during your toughest times,” she added.
One day following her return to the U.S. in December, Hannah made a statement via NBC News, conveyed through her aunt Larie Pidgeon, expressing that she had been uninformed about the media coverage while she was residing in Mexico.
In this phase of my life, I’m concentrating on my recovery, tranquility, and creative pursuits. I am profoundly thankful for the love and care extended by my family and all those who have offered kindness and understanding during these trying times.
She expressed, ‘Please show respect towards me, my family, and those dear to me, as I face these difficult circumstances. Your compassion is greatly appreciated.’
For a look back at Hannah’s disappearance and return to the U.S., keep reading.
On the 8th of November, Hannah Kobayashi is reported to have traveled from Maui to Los Angeles, intending to board a subsequent flight bound for New York’s JFK International Airport, as stated by the Los Angeles police.
It was revealed that Hannah and her ex-boyfriend were scheduled on the same flight. According to her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, as reported by the Los Angeles Times, they weren’t able to secure a refund on their tickets but had arranged to part ways upon landing in New York City, where Hannah was headed for a concert engagement and a photography assignment.
In simpler terms, Hannah didn’t get on the plane leaving from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), according to a statement by the LAPD. Despite this, her luggage was checked all the way to her final stop and she asked for it to be returned to LAX.
Surveillance video reviewed by police showed the 30-year-old picking up her bag at LAX on Nov. 11.
Upon reaching Los Angeles, Hannah stopped by the Taschen bookstore situated at The Grove shopping center on the 9th of November. Later, she shared a photo of a book with a relative. This information was revealed by Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, to the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, Hannah provided her Maui address when filling out a newsletter form.
According to Larie, who is a relative who journeyed from Maui, they were able to locate Hannah at Taschen by using family photos and subsequently verified this with employees.
On November 10th, I had the privilege of immersing myself in the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, held right at The Grove’s Nike store. That same day, I shared a snapshot of my Jordan-adorned footwear on my social media, giving a shoutout to the LA Times, and proudly announcing my location as “City of Angels, Los Angeles, California.
According to Larie, it’s likely she was spending time near The Grove. It’s quite a popular spot with numerous shops, bookstores, and museums, making it an ideal place for sightseeing. Given its touristy nature and safety features, we believe she found the area comfortable.
According to Larie, the content of Hannah’s text messages to her family seemed ordinary, containing complaints about not being able to book another flight as yet.
However, as reported by the Times, on November 11th, Larie went on to say, Hannah sent a message to another relative expressing worry about her identity being taken and her funds disappearing. Following this message, nobody was able to reach her.
Larie pointed out that she frequently uses terms such as ‘dear’ and ‘darling’, but she never spoke like this: ‘Someone’s attempting to misappropriate my assets.’ It was entirely unlike her, prompting concern within the family.
Larie shared with KTLA that the messages she received were “unusual, puzzling, and they seemed to be connected to the concept of ‘the matrix’. It felt completely out of character for her,” she added. “But then, unexpectedly, there was silence—no further communication.
Hannah’s phone was last active at 4 p.m. on November 11th, specifically at LAX airport, as reported by the police, when they believe she retrieved her luggage.
Her family reported her missing the following day.
On November 18, it was announced by Hannah’s family that they had reviewed security camera recordings which showed Hannah exiting a train at the Pico Metro Station, close to Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A., around 10 p.m. on November 11.
As I take a closer look at Hannah’s current state, it’s clear that she’s facing some challenges, and I’m not the only one who feels this way. Her loved ones have expressed their concerns on Facebook as well.
Police reports indicate that Hannah travelled approximately three miles from the arena to Union Station. There, she utilized her passport to buy a bus ticket to an area close to the California-Mexico border.
On November 12th, police reported that she got on a bus destined for San Ysidro, a city often referred to as the “Entryway to America” due to its status as the southernmost city in California and a well-known border crossing point.
On November 21, relatives held a demonstration and distributed leaflets in the downtown area close to where Hannah was last spotted.
At the gathering, as reported by KTLA, Aunt Larie implored, “Continue calling her name, Hannah Kobayashi. Every member of your family is present. The whole world is seeking you. If you’re able and have a means to contact us, please do so. We’re not angry.
Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, remarked, “Hannah is a stunning girl, both on the inside and out. If there’s any way to connect with her, please do.
At the rally, he informed NBC4 that it’s every parent’s worst fear: they’re unsure of where to even start or how to proceed. It feels overwhelmingly daunting, as if trying to find a single grain of sand in the vast ocean.
On November 24th, as reported by the authorities who were called to the scene at around 4 a.m., Ryan Kobayashi, a visitor from Maui searching for Hannah, tragically leaped from a parking structure close to LAX. The incident occurred in the 6100 block of Century Boulevard.
According to the report from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, it was determined that Ryan sustained several traumatic injuries due to blunt force, and his death was classified as a suicide.
At the Nov. 21 rally, Ryan expressed to NBC4 his deep concern, saying, “This situation is every parent’s worst fear – we feel overwhelmed and lost, like trying to find one grain of sand in the vast ocean.
According to the RAD Movement, a charitable organization that supports families of missing individuals, Ryan spent 13 days in Los Angeles looking for his daughter.
The statement made by the group indicated that this loss significantly increased the hardship the family is experiencing. They also highlighted the importance of continued vigilance as they continue the search for a missing woman named Hannah, stressing its utmost significance.
Larie told the LA Times that it was unfair and unnecessary to speculate about Ryan possibly being involved in Hannah’s disappearance. She added that he had tragically passed away due to grief.
On December 2nd, the LAPD confirmed that their latest sighting of Hannah was when she crossed the border from San Ysidro to Mexico on November 12th, traveling independently with her luggage.
On December 1st, investigators from our department’s Missing Persons Unit reviewed security footage provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which depicted her crossing into Mexico, according to the authorities.
As per the LAPD’s latest update, Hannah is currently being classified as a missing person who is voluntarily absent. They emphasize that Hannah is not under suspicion for any criminal activities, and their ongoing investigation has not yielded any indications of human trafficking or suspicious circumstances.
To NBC News, Hannah’s loved ones expressed their continued optimism about her safety and their ongoing efforts in searching for her.
They stated on December 3rd, “The investigation is still ongoing, and our dedication remains firm in ensuring Hannah’s safe return. We yearn for clarification and a resolution that guarantees Hannah’s safety. We implore law enforcement, as well as the public, to keep their focus on locating her, and refrain from jumping to premature conclusions based on speculation.
On Dec. 11, Hannah’s sister Sydni and mom Brandi Yee said they had made contact with her.
They expressed great relief and gratitude that Hannah was safely found, according to their statement to NBC News. This past month has been an unprecedented struggle for our family, so we humbly request privacy as we work through our experiences and begin healing.
Upon my return from Mexico to the U.S. on December 15, I found myself at the center of quite a stir, leading the authorities to officially close my missing persons case. In response to this unexpected attention, I took a moment to reflect and share my feelings.
In her statement issued via Aunt Larie Pidgeon to NBC News, she expressed that she had been oblivious to the events unfolding in the media while she was absent. She continued by stating that she is still trying to comprehend and make sense of everything that has transpired.
And now, she’s focusing on the future.
She emphasized that her attention currently lies in her recovery, tranquility, and creative pursuits. She expresses heartfelt gratitude towards her family and all those who have extended kindness and empathy toward her throughout this period.
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2025-05-20 16:53