A mysterious case surrounding 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi from Hawaii has taken an unexpected turn. After being reported missing in Los Angeles three weeks ago, police revealed she voluntarily walked across the border into Mexico, carrying her luggage.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell shared the update, saying Hannah appeared unharmed in surveillance footage and there’s no evidence of foul play. Still, the chief encouraged her to reach out to her worried family.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened and the latest details:
How Did Hannah Go Missing?
Hannah, an up-and-coming photographer from Maui, was heading to New York on November 8 for a new job and a family visit. However, she didn’t make it past Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
She told her family she’d spent the night at the airport and texted them the next day, saying she was sightseeing in LA. But things took a strange turn when her family started getting unusual, cryptic messages. Concerned, they reported her missing on November 11.
“Once we started asking more questions, she stopped responding,” shared her aunt, Larie Pidgeon. After that, her phone went silent. Friends and family launched a search for Hannah across Los Angeles.
What Did the Police Find Out?
After reviewing footage from the San Ysidro border crossing, about 125 miles south of LA, police confirmed Hannah crossed into Mexico alone on November 12, the day after her family reported her missing.
According to Chief McDonnell, Hannah made the decision to “step away from modern life.” While she has the right to her privacy, he encouraged her to contact her family to let them know she’s safe.
Although the case remains open until her safety is confirmed, police said she intentionally missed her connecting flight to New York—a claim her sister, Sydni, disputed on social media.
Mexican authorities have been informed about Hannah’s case, but no formal search has been requested on their side.
The Family’s Heartbreaking Loss
In the midst of the search for Hannah, tragedy struck her family. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew to LA to help look for his daughter but was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on November 24. The family later confirmed he had died by suicide.
“After 13 days of tirelessly searching for Hannah, Ryan tragically took his own life,” the family shared in a heartfelt statement. “This has added unimaginable pain to an already devastating situation.”
The family had created a Facebook page, Help Us Find Hannah, to gather support. However, they decided to shut it down on Monday, asking for privacy as they process their grief.
