How the Hannah Kobayashi case led to Mexico and new revelations

How the Hannah Kobayashi case led to Mexico and new revelations

The mystery surrounding Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who has been missing for several weeks, took a turn Monday when Los Angeles Police Department officials said there was no evidence of criminal activity and a video showed her crossing the border crossed into Mexico.

The LAPD is now classifying her as a “voluntary missing person” and says there are no signs of crime. Officials urged Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Maui resident, or anyone who knows her exact whereabouts to contact authorities or family so they can ensure she is safe.

Kobayashi’s family did not respond to requests for comment on the latest status of the investigation on Monday evening.

Here’s a rundown of what we know about the case:

Timeline of events

November 8th

  • According to her family, Kobayashi landed at Los Angeles International Airport from Maui and missed her connecting flight to New York City due to a short layover.
  • Relatives receive cryptic text messages from Kobayashi that suggest someone is trying to steal their money and identity.
  • Kobayashi spends the night in Los Angeles and is seen the next day at the Taschen bookstore near the Grove shopping center.
Pictures from a police missing persons leaflet show Hannah Kobayashi.

Pictures from a police missing persons leaflet show Hannah Kobayashi.

(Los Angeles Police Department)

November 10th

  • According to her family, Kobayashi is seen on video attending the LeBron XXII Trial Experience near Grove and returning to LAX. Kobayashi also posted a black and white photo about the event on Instagram.

November 11th

  • She was seen talking to a ticket agent at LAX; Around 9 p.m., Kobayashi then boards the LAX Metro C line at the Aviation/Century Station, her family says.
  • She changes trains at Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station and is seen in video footage leaving Pico station with an unknown person.

November 12th

  • According to her family, Kobayashi is seen again on video footage at the Greyhound bus terminal at Union Station in downtown LA around 6:30 a.m.
  • Just a few hours later, according to police, Kobayashi entered Mexico through the San Ysidro border crossing. LAPD officials said they reviewed U.S. Border Patrol surveillance videos on Dec. 2.

November 24th

  • Authorities discover the body of Kobayashi’s father Ryan near LAX. He had flown to Los Angeles to help find his daughter. Authorities ruled his death an apparent suicide. Relatives released a statement saying, “After searching tirelessly throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has made the family’s suffering immeasurably worse.”

Why Mexico?

Officials don’t know why Kobayashi went to Mexico or where exactly she is now. But they said the video evidence was clear.

“The footage clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi crossing the U.S. border into Mexico on foot,” police said in a statement.

LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell said police found no evidence that Kobayashi was a victim of human trafficking or involved in criminal activity.

Old social media posts, McDonnell said, indicate that Kobayashi “expressed a desire to break away from modern connectivity.” Kobayashi is believed to have left her phone behind in Los Angeles.

Volunteers posted fliers about missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi

Volunteers posted fliers about missing Hannah Kobayashi of Maui, Hawaii.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

What’s next?

McDonnell said the LAPD investigation will not continue the search in Mexico, but he encouraged anyone with information about Kobayashi’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement.

Authorities would be notified if Kobayashi decided to re-enter the United States, he added.

“She has a right to her privacy and we respect her decisions,” McDonnell said, “but we also understand the concern our loved ones feel for her; A simple message could reassure those she cares about.”

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