The mystery surrounding Hawaiian Hanna Kobayashi, who has been missing for weeks, continued Monday as Los Angeles police said there was no evidence of criminal activity and video footage showed her crossing the border into Mexico. The situation changed completely.
The Los Angeles Police Department currently classifies her as a “voluntarily disappeared person” and says there are no signs of criminal activity. Authorities are asking anyone who knows Kobayashi, 30, of Maui, or her exact whereabouts, to contact authorities and her family to ensure her safety.
Kobayashi’s family said in a statement Monday that they had not given up on the search and called on law enforcement and the public to “remain focused on finding her and avoid making speculative conclusions.”
“We deeply appreciate the urgency and dedication shown by law enforcement in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” the statement said. “Our family believes Hannah is safe and we urge everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over and we are committed to doing everything in our power to bring her home safely. ”
Here’s a review of what we know about this incident.
Event timeline
November 8th
According to his family, Kobayashi arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from Maui, but had a short layover and missed his connecting flight to New York.
Relatives receive cryptic text messages from Ms. Kobayashi suggesting someone is trying to steal her money and identity.
Kobayashi stayed overnight in Los Angeles and showed up the next day at Taschen Bookstore near the Globe Shopping Center.
Hannah Kobayashi is pictured in the police missing persons flyer.
(Los Angeles Police Department)
November 10th
Kobayashi is seen on video attending the LeBron XXII Trial Experience near the Grove and returning to LAX, according to a statement from his family. Kobayashi also posted black and white photos of the event on Instagram.
November 11th
She was also seen talking to a ticket agent at LAX. Kobayashi then boarded the LAX Metro C line from Aviation/Century Station around 9 p.m., according to his family.
She transferred at the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station and is seen on video footage leaving the Pico station with an unknown person.
November 12th
Kobayashi was seen again on video at around 6:30 a.m. at the Greyhound Bus Terminal at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, her family said. Just hours later, Kobayashi entered Mexico through the San Ysidro border crossing, police said. Los Angeles Police Department officials said they reviewed surveillance video from the U.S. Border Patrol on Dec. 2.
November 24th
Authorities found the body of Kobayashi’s father, Ryan, near Los Angeles International Airport. He had flown to Los Angeles to help search for his daughter. Authorities deemed his death an apparent suicide. Relatives released a statement saying: “Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life after 13 days of tireless searching throughout Los Angeles. This loss has caused immeasurable pain to our family. It got worse.”
Why Mexico?
Authorities do not know why Kobayashi went to Mexico or exactly where he is now. But they said the video evidence was clear.
“The video clearly shows 30-year-old Hanna Kobayashi crossing the U.S. border into Mexico on foot,” police said in a statement.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said police have not yet unearthed any evidence that Kobayashi was trafficked or involved in any criminal activity.
McDonnell said old social media posts suggested Kobayashi was “expressing a desire to distance himself from modern connectivity.” It is believed that Kobayashi left his cell phone behind in Los Angeles.
Volunteers posted flyers about missing Hannah Kobayashi from Maui, Hawaii.
(Wally Scully/Los Angeles Times)
What’s next?
McDonnell said the Los Angeles Police Department’s investigation would not continue searching within Mexico, but encouraged anyone with information about Kobayashi’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement.
He added that authorities will be notified if Kobayashi chooses to re-enter the United States.
“She has a right to privacy and we respect her choice,” McDonnell said. A simple message may reassure her loved ones. ”
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