Heartbreak as woman whose mysterious disappearance drove dad to suicide is 'found safe and well'

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, disappeared three weeks ago during a layover at Los Angeles Airport and her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life after tirelessly searching for his daughter

By: irishmirror.ie

Dec 12 2024
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Heartbreak as woman whose myst

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, who sparked a massive search after she disappeared during a layover at Los Angeles Airport, has been found safe and sound. The mysterious disappearance had tragic consequences when her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life after an exhaustive search for his daughter.

Hannah vanished three weeks ago, but earlier this month, CCTV footage from the US-Mexico border near Tijuana showed her alive a day after she went missing and 11 days before her dad tragically took his life. In a dramatic turn of events, her family announced that she has been located.

It's understood that she has returned to the US from Mexico, though the specifics are not yet clear. A statement shared with MailOnline expressed the family's immense relief: "We are incredibly relieved and grateful Hannah has been found safe."

The Los Angeles Police Department also commented on the development, saying: "We are happy to learn Hannah has been found safe. Now we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation."

Prior warnings on a Facebook page dedicated to finding Hannah had indicated she was "missing and in imminent danger", reports the Mirror.

Anxiety escalated when she failed to show up for her scheduled arrival in New York City last month on a flight from LAX.

The woman from Hawaii vanished in downtown Los Angeles, and her family suspected foul play as they insisted Hannah would never intentionally miss her flight. She had previously sent a text to a friend about having a "spiritual awakening" and was later seen with an unidentified man on November 11, just days before CCTV allegedly captured her in Mexico.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, flew from her home in Maui on November 8 and was meant to arrive in New York City the next day. (Image: Facebook)

Ryan Kobayashi, centre, holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi last month. (Image: AP)

On November 26, Los Angeles police emphasised their belief that Hannah deliberately missed her connection. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that the investigation concluded Hannah's missed connection 'was intentional'.

"On November 15, our missing persons unit took over the investigation. Detectives have been meticulously reviewing video surveillance and using various investigative methods to locate Hannah, while her family has continued their personal search efforts."

It was reported last week that Hannah reportedly spent nine hours with an unknown man before crossing the border into Mexico. According to police, Kobayashi met the unknown man near Los Angeles' LAX airport, and the pair were then seen walking through downtown LA.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family confirmed last week that her father had taken his own life after failing to find his daughter. They wrote: "The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life."

CCTV image of Hannah Kobayashi, 30. (Image: Hawaii News Now)

"This loss has compounded the family's suffering immeasurably. What the family needs most in this difficult time is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion, and prayers. Please be considerate with your comments and posts."

"The trauma they are enduring is profound, and they now face the additional burden of grieving the loss of their family's pillar and navigating next steps. "Again, it is the family wish the public keep the focus on locating and recovering Hannah safely. "Hannah's last message to us was alarming - she mentioned feeling scared and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity," her family said.

"She hasn't been heard from since, and we are gravely concerned for her safety."

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