Why Hannah Kobayashi’s Family Is “Frustrated” Amid Investigation

As a compassionate observer, I find myself deeply moved by the heart-wrenching tale of Hannah Kobayashi and her family. The narrative of a father desperately searching for his daughter, only to tragically lose his own life, is a poignant reminder of the profound depths of human emotion.

Hannah Kobayashi’s family is still searching for answers. 

Following the Los Angeles Police Department labeling the 30-year-old, who went missing according to her family on November 8, as a person “voluntarily” absent, her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, stepped forward to speak publicly.

During her interview on NBC News Now on Dec. 3, she expressed feeling equally puzzled and stated that she was more irritated than anything else.

Sydni expressed her continued suspicion that Hannah might be in danger, even though the LAPD stated at their December 2nd press conference that they haven’t found any evidence suggesting Hannah was trafficked or a victim of suspicious circumstances. This is because Hannah’s absence from contacting her family is highly unusual for her character.

As she put it, “She always kept close to me more than anyone in our lives.” 

Additionally, the lawyer voiced disagreement with the LAPD’s ruling that Hannah had willingly gone missing, given the continued worry within the Kobayashi family.

She mentioned, “It requires significant probing and examination before we can confidently call it a voluntary act.” They arrived at this decision without presenting any video evidence to support it.

Simultaneously, LAPD officials claim that Hannah seemed normal in footage dated November 12, which shows her passing through the San Ysidro border into Mexico. Moreover, they suggested that Hannah’s social media activity contained signs or posts that could indicate someone wanting to cut off their phone connection.

Sydni too sent a note meant for her sibling, encouraging her to return home should the findings of the LAPD prove accurate.

Sydni emphasized repeatedly during her NBC News Now interview that you’re deeply cherished and have our unwavering support. Frankly, we’re concerned for your wellbeing. Regardless of the circumstances you find yourself in, remember there’s always a place where you can return to feel safe and accepted.

Sydni’s latest remarks follow the Kobayashi family’s response to the Los Angeles Police Department’s categorization of Hannah’s disappearance as a missing persons case, appealing to the community to keep searching for their family member.

In a statement made to NBC News, they expressed heartfelt appreciation for the sense of urgency and commitment shown by law enforcement in their investigation into Hannah’s disappearance. Despite our family’s continued anxiety, we remain optimistic that Hannah is safe. We kindly ask everyone to keep up the search efforts as the hunt for Hannah is far from over. Our unwavering resolve is to do everything within our power to ensure her safe return home.

TopMob News has attempted to contact the Los Angeles Police Department concerning the Kobayashi family’s remarks, however, we are still waiting for a response.

Keep reading for every update to Hannah’s case so far. 

On November 8th, Hannah Kobayashi is reported by L.A. police to have departed from Maui and headed for Los Angeles, intending to transfer there to a subsequent flight bound for New York’s JFK International Airport.

Hannah and her ex-boyfriend were both scheduled on the same flight. According to her sister, Sydni Kobayashi (as reported by the Los Angeles Times), they couldn’t obtain a refund on their tickets but had decided to part ways upon landing in New York, where Hannah was headed for a concert engagement and a photography project.

Hannah didn’t take off on her flight departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), according to a statement from the LAPD. However, her luggage was processed to reach its final destination. She asked for it to be returned to LAX instead.

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 Taschen bookstore located at The Grove shopping center on November 9th and sent a photo of a book to a relative. This information was shared with the Los Angeles Times by Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon. Additionally, Hannah provided her Maui address when filling out a newsletter form.

Relatives, including Larie, traced Hannah to the town of Taschen using photos as a guide. They subsequently spoke with local staff to verify that Hannah had indeed visited the area. Notably, Larie is one of Hannah’s aunts who traveled from Maui in search of her niece.

On the 10th of November, Hannah went to the LeBron XXII Trial Experience at The Grove’s Nike store and shared a picture of feet dressed in Jordan gear that very day, tagging the LA Times and identifying her location as “City of Angels, Los Angeles, California.

According to Larie, it’s believed that she might have been hanging out near The Grove. It’s quite popular among tourists, offering numerous shops, bookstores, and museums, which makes us suspect that she was there for some sightseeing and found the area secure.

Larie mentioned that Hannah’s text messages to her family seemed regular, with complaints about not being able to book another flight just yet.

However, as mentioned in the Times, on November 11th, Larie continued, Hannah allegedly messaged another aunt stating her concern that her identity and all her funds had been taken, following which nobody was able to reach her.

Larie stated, “She was employing terms such as ‘honey’ and ‘darling’, and she claimed someone was attempting to misappropriate her assets. This isn’t typical of her behavior. It raised red flags within the family, so they issued a warning.

Larie informed KTLA that she received “mysterious, puzzling messages, concerning the matrix, which were completely unexpected from her.” Then, abruptly, there was no further contact.

Hannah’s phone was last active at 4 p.m. on November 11, which was when she was reportedly at LAX and retrieved her luggage, as the police mentioned.

Her family reported her missing the following day.

It was announced on November 18th that Hannah’s relatives have viewed security camera recordings which suggest she exited a train at the Pico Metro Station, close to the Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A., around 10 p.m. on November 11th.

It’s clear from their Facebook post that Hannah seems unwell, and they mentioned she isn’t by herself.

Police reports state that Hannah traveled approximately three miles to Union Station, which is distant from the arena. There, she utilized her passport to buy a bus ticket leading towards an area close to the California-Mexico boundary.

On November 12th, the police stated that she took a bus towards San Ysidro, which is often referred to as the “Entrance to America” due to being the southernmost city in California and a frequently used crossing point for borders.

On November 21st, relatives held a demonstration and distributed leaflets close to the downtown area where Hannah was last spotted.

At the gathering as reported by KTLA, Aunt Larie asked earnestly, “Don’t cease mentioning Hannah Kobayashi’s name, everyone. Our whole family is present. The entire globe is seeking you. If possible and if you can get in touch with us, please do so. We’re not angry.

Han’s dad, Ryan Kobayashi, commented, “She’s a stunning girl, both inside and out. If there’s any way to connect, please do.

He told NBC4 at the rally, “It’s every parents’ nightmare. We don’t know where to start, where to begin. It’s like a grain of sand in the ocean.”

On November 24th, as reported by the authorities who were called to the 6100 block of Century Boulevard around 4 a.m., Ryan Kobayashi, who had come to town from Maui in search of Hannah, tragically leaped from a parking garage near LAX and passed away.

According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s findings, Ryan endured numerous severe impacts causing fatal trauma, and his death was classified as a suicide.

At the November 21 rally, Ryan expressed to NBC4 that it feels like an every parent’s worst fear: “We’re overwhelmed, unsure where to even begin. It’s as if we’re lost amidst the vastness, like a single grain of sand in the ocean.

In a released statement, the RAD Movement – a charitable organization dedicated to supporting families of missing individuals – confirmed that Ryan had spent 13 consecutive days in Los Angeles, endeavoring to locate his daughter.

The statement from the group expressed that this loss significantly intensified the hardships the family is experiencing. They also highlighted the importance of continuing the search for a missing woman named Hannah, urging everyone to stay alert and focused on locating her.

Larie stated to the LA Times that it was unfair and necessary to halt rumors suggesting Ryan played a part in Hannah’s disappearance, as he had tragically passed away from a broken heart.

On December 2nd, the Los Angeles Police Department 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 belongings.

On December 1st, investigators from our Missing Persons team traveled to the border and inspected footage captured by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which depicted her entering Mexico, according to the authorities.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but feel a pang of concern as Hannah, my beloved idol, has been categorized as a voluntary missing person by the LAPD. Rest assured, she is not implicated in any criminal activities, and their investigation hasn’t yielded any evidence suggesting human trafficking or suspicious circumstances. Here’s hoping for her swift return and safety, my heart yearns to see her shine once more on the stage of stardom.

According to what Hannah’s family told NBC News, they continue to hold onto hope that she is safe and are actively searching for her.

On December 3rd, they emphasized that the search for Hannah is not yet completed and pledged their full effort in ensuring her safe return. They expressed their desire for clarity and a resolution that prioritizes Hannah’s safety above all else. They encouraged law enforcement and the public to remain vigilant in their quest to find Hannah, and advised against jumping to premature or speculative conclusions.

Read More

2024-12-04 21:21