According to police, Hannah Kobayashi was reported voluntarily missing after a video showed her crossing to Mexico

According to police, Hannah Kobayashi was reported voluntarily missing after a video showed her crossing to Mexico



CNN

Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who has been missing for more than three weeks after arriving in Los Angeles on a flight from Maui, has been reported as a voluntary missing person, Los Angeles police said Monday.

“As the family is aware, yesterday, after traveling to the U.S.-Mexico border, we reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video surveillance that clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the U.S. border on foot into Mexico Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told a news conference Monday.

“She was alone with her luggage and appeared to be uninjured,” McDonnell added.

Kobayashi arrived at Los Angeles International Airport She flew out of Maui on November 8 but did not board her connecting flight to New York, her sister previously told CNN. The family last heard from the 30-year-old on November 11th and police created a missing person poster for her on November 15th. Videos and photos showed Kobayashi at various locations in Los Angeles between Nov. 8 and Nov. 11, police said.

Police now say they have video footage of Kobayashi retrieving her luggage from baggage claim at LAX on November 11 after requesting its return from New York.

Kobayashi then took the Los Angeles subway to Union Station, where she used her passport and cash to purchase a ticket that took her to the U.S.-Mexico border, where she arrived at the San Francisco port of entry shortly after noon on November 12 Ysidro crossed into Mexico, police said Monday.

“To date, the investigation has revealed no evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or the victim of a crime. She is also not suspected of any criminal activity,” McDonnell said. “She has a right to her privacy and we respect her decisions, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her.”

CNN reached out to Kobayashi’s sister and aunt for comment on Monday.

Before he left Maui, investigators determined that Kobayashi had expressed a desire to separate himself from modern technology, McDonnell said Monday.

“All we know is that she didn’t have her phone after she left LAX,” LAPD Lt. Douglas Oldfield said. “We know she doesn’t have her phone with her. For what reason? We can’t say that for sure.”

The LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit has conducted “extensive” interviews, reviewed video footage and worked with multiple agencies on Kobayashi’s case, police said Monday.

Investigators identified a person who was seen with Kobayashi on a subway in LA As police announced on Monday, a station was set up near the Crypto.com Arena on November 11th. This person, who met Kobayashi at LAX, cooperated with authorities and police to corroborate his story.

Police said they have been transparent with Kobayashi’s family, who have publicly asked for information about Kobayashi’s disappearance.

Investigators urged Kobayashi to speak to her family, law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy to let people know if she is safe.

“We have basically done everything we could do at this point, she has left the country and is now living in another country,” McDonnell said.

McDonnell said he deeply regrets the loss of Kobayashi’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, who died by suicide on Nov. 24 after searching for Hannah for 13 days following her disappearance.

A GoFundMe started by Kobayashi’s family has raised nearly $47,000 as of Monday evening. The fundraiser said it was intended to cover the search effort and costs of Ryan Kobayashi’s funeral.

“The fundraiser is verified and is currently subject to GoFundMe’s Terms of Service,” a GoFundMe representative told CNN on Monday.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Caroll Alvarado, Amanda Jackson and Chimaine Pouteau contributed to this report

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