ⓒ The Sydney Morning Herald
The perplexing disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaiian woman, has taken a tragic turn with the death of her father, Ryan. Kobayashi vanished in early November after a trip from Maui to New York, with a layover in Los Angeles. While initially reported as a voluntary disappearance by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the case has raised numerous questions and fuelled intense speculation.
Kobayashi’s last known contact with her family was on November 11th. She reportedly missed a connecting flight to New York and sent unusual text messages, claiming to have experienced a “spiritual awakening” and suggesting she’d been “hacked” and tricked into sending money. The LAPD’s assertion that she intentionally missed her flight has been contested by her family.
The investigation took a devastating turn on November 24th when Ryan Kobayashi, her father, was found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport. Authorities confirmed his death was a suicide.
Further complicating the case, the LAPD recently released video surveillance footage showing Kobayashi crossing the US border into Mexico on foot on December 2nd. The LAPD stated she appeared unharmed and alone with her luggage.
Kobayashi’s family has expressed skepticism about the LAPD’s conclusions, questioning the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and the conflicting information provided. The family’s efforts to find Hannah have been significantly hampered by the recent tragic events. The case continues to unfold, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and profound sadness.
