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LOS ANGELES (BFMG) — Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaii woman who went missing after failing to board a connecting flight in Los Angeles, crossed into Mexico alone, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Monday.
During a Dec. 2 press conference, Chief Jim McDonnell stated that video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Kobayashi crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on foot at the San Ysidro entry point on Nov. 12. She was seen carrying her luggage and appeared unharmed.
“There is no evidence that Ms. Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of a fall,” McDonnell said, adding that she is considered a “voluntary missing person.”
Concerns from Family
Kobayashi’s family reported her missing on Nov. 8 after she sent concerning text messages while in Los Angeles. Her mother, Megan Slezak, described the messages as alarming, saying Kobayashi mentioned feeling “scared” and suspected someone might be trying to steal her money and identity according to PEOPLE.
Family members noted the messages seemed out of character, with her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, describing them as “off.” A friend received a message in which Kobayashi wrote, “I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds for someone I thought I loved.”
Kobayashi’s phone last pinged at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Nov. 11 before all communication stopped.
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Investigation Findings
Before leaving Hawaii, Kobayashi had reportedly expressed a desire to “step away from modern connectivity,” McDonnell said. Social media posts and other evidence reviewed by investigators suggest she may have been planning to disconnect.
Officer Douglas Oldfield noted that Kobayashi’s communications cannot be fully interpreted without her present to explain their meaning.
The LAPD has concluded its investigation and will not continue efforts in Mexico. Authorities are urging Kobayashi to contact her family or U.S. officials to confirm her safety.
“She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices,” McDonnell said. “But we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her. A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”
Family Tragedy
Amid the search for Kobayashi, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, traveled to Los Angeles to assist. On Nov. 24, he was found dead in a parking lot. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determined his death was a suicide caused by blunt force trauma.
Ryan’s fiancée, Li Jaena, described him in a GoFundMe post as “a truly remarkable person who lit up every room with his positivity and kind heart.” The fundraiser, created to support the family, has received an outpouring of support.
“This is a parent’s worst nightmare,” Kobayashi’s mother, Brandi Yee, said. “We’ve done everything we could to find her.”
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Ongoing Support
Flyers seeking information about Kobayashi remain posted around Los Angeles, and volunteers continue to raise awareness of her case. Her family, devastated by both her disappearance and Ryan’s death, hopes for closure.
“We urge Hannah to contact someone to let us know she’s safe,” McDonnell said. “The family deserves that peace of mind.”
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.
