December 4th 2024.
The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a young woman from Hawaii who was last seen in Los Angeles after arriving on a flight from Maui in early November, has left her family in a state of worry and heartbreak. Despite the police stating that she is a voluntary missing person, her family refuses to give up on finding her.
Hannah's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, released a statement on Tuesday expressing her continued concern for her niece. She shared that it has been 21 days since they last heard from Hannah, and every day has been filled with silence, fear, and questions about what could have led to her disappearance.
According to the police, Hannah was caught on video surveillance crossing the US-Mexico border on foot on November 12. However, they also mentioned that she appeared unharmed and alone with her luggage. In a news conference, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell revealed that Hannah had arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport from Maui on November 8 but did not board her connecting flight to New York.
The family's last contact with Hannah was on November 11, and the police created a missing person poster for her on November 15. The authorities have shared footage and photos of Hannah at different locations in Los Angeles between November 8 and 11. However, despite their efforts, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence of foul play or human trafficking. Chief McDonnell emphasized that Hannah has a right to privacy, and they respect her choices, but they also understand the concern of her loved ones.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck the family during their search for Hannah when her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead near the airport on Sunday. He had taken his own life, and Pidgeon believes it was due to a broken heart. The family has raised concerns about Hannah's unusual behavior before her decision to travel to Mexico.
In an interview with CNN affiliate HawaiiNewsNow, Hannah's sister Sydni Kobayashi shared that they are worried someone might be controlling her or telling her what to do. She expressed frustration with how the LAPD seems to have washed their hands of the situation now that Hannah is in Mexico. When asked for a comment, the police stated they have no further information to provide.
Despite their frustration, Hannah's family is grateful for the efforts of the LAPD in tracking down their niece. Pidgeon acknowledged that their work has led to new information, but it does not change the fact that Hannah's usually communicative nature never mentioned any plans to travel to Mexico. Attorney Sara Azani, who is representing the family, shared that they are shocked and frustrated that Hannah is still listed as a missing person, and they have to take matters into their own hands.
Azani expressed concern for Hannah's safety, as Mexico is not a safe place, especially near the border. She also shared that Hannah's disconnection from her phone, social media, and the world is alarming, as it is not like her to cut off communication. Pidgeon echoed these sentiments, stating that Hannah's complete disconnection is not like her and that she will not stop until she finds her niece and confirms that she is safe and making her own decisions.
The family is now planning to reach out to the US State Department and travel to Mexico to continue their search for Hannah. Pidgeon shared that everything she has done so far has been out of love, and she will not give up until she can see her niece in person and ensure her safety. The Kobayashi family and their legal team are prepared to start over with their efforts to find Hannah, and they are hoping for a safe and happy reunion with her soon.
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