Hannah Kobayashi found safe after her disappearance sparked a massive search | Hawaii

Hannah Kobayashi found safe after her disappearance sparked a massive search | Hawaii

Hannah Kobayashi has been found safe, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said on Wednesday.

Kobayashi disappeared in Los Angeles last month, and her disappearance sparked an extensive search and missing persons investigation. It was not immediately clear where she was found, but police previously said she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico.

“We are pleased to learn that Hannah is safe,” the LAPD said in a statement. “Now that we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will complete our investigation.”

Kobayashi’s disappearance had caused panic among those close to her and sparked a frantic and extensive investigation by U.S. law enforcement. The mystery surrounding her whereabouts made headlines around the world.

“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah is safe,” wrote Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi, as we process everything we’ve been through. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and care meant a lot to us.”

Kobayashi, an aspiring photographer from Maui, was on her way to New York City on November 8, 2024, to take a new job and visit relatives when she missed a connecting flight during a layover at Los Angeles International Airport. She told her family that she slept at the airport that night and texted them the next day to tell them she was sightseeing in Los Angeles.

Her family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages, according to her aunt Larie Pidgeon.

“When the family started pushing, it went dark,” Pidgeon told the Associated Press late last month. After the Nov. 11 text messages, her phone “just died,” Pidgeon said.

Family members, friends and local volunteers searched for Kobayashi in Los Angeles. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was one of those who flew in from Hawaii to help with the search. He was found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 24, according to the county medical examiner’s office. Kobayashi’s family confirmed Ryan’s death in a statement the same day, saying they had “experienced a devastating tragedy” and that he died by suicide.

Police said Hannah entered Mexico at the San Ysidro border crossing about 125 miles (201 km) southeast of Los Angeles on Nov. 12, a day after her family reported her missing. Authorities made the announcement after reviewing security videos from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Hannah voluntarily disappeared as she tried to “distance from modern connectivity,” L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell previously said.

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