Missing photographer Hanna Kobayashi may have been involved in an alleged marriage fraud with an Argentinian before her disappearance, a shocking report has revealed.
The 30-year-old Kobayashi arrived in Los Angeles on November 8th with her ex-husband, Argentinian man Alan Cacasse, and his girlfriend Marianna, just days before she was seen crossing the border into Mexico. The plane landed at an international airport, sources told Los Angeles Magazine. Wednesday.
Officials believe the aspiring photographer may have been swindled out of money after marrying a man whose green card visa scheme fell through, the outlet said.
Kobayashi’s mother, Brandi Yee, allegedly found immigration documents at her daughter’s home in Hawaii indicating that she was working with or in contact with an immigration attorney.
Lee tried to contact his lawyer, but “the lawyer was not cooperative,” the source said.
The official said Yee is said to have given documents to the FBI and Los Angeles Police Department for investigation.
The family’s attorney, Sarah Azari, said in a statement Wednesday that the concerned mother “immediately submitted the alleged information to law enforcement upon receiving it.”
“We would like to emphasize that the family has not released any information regarding the alleged marriage as we did not have the facts or necessary documents to verify the validity of this information,” Azari said. I wrote to X.
“The family has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided regarding the possibility of a secret marriage.”
Azhari urged the public to “avoid jumping to conclusions and spreading unverified claims.”
“It is especially important that we do not perpetuate speculation that anyone is involved in fraud. It only hinders the development of the government,” Azari added.
Before Kobayashi lost contact with her loved ones, she sent cryptic text messages to friends, including one in which she said she had experienced a “very intense spiritual awakening.” One claimed that he had been “deceived into donating almost all of my funds.”
In a second message, Kobayashi told her friend that she thought she had been deceived “for someone I thought I loved.”
News of the alleged marriage fraud came days after Kobayashi was seen on surveillance camera buying a ticket to the border and walking into Mexico.
The 30-year-old brunette beauty from Maui was reported missing by her family on November 11th after she missed her connecting flight at LAX a few days earlier and it went dark.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said after investigators reviewed various surveillance footage and interviewed multiple witnesses, Kobayashi’s last known death occurred after he landed in the Golden State on Nov. 8. The suspect was seen entering Mexico through a border crossing tunnel in Baja California. November 12th.
Los Angeles police have classified the 30-year-old woman as a “voluntarily disappeared person” and said she intentionally entered Mexico to “separate herself from modern society.”
“We’ve basically done everything we can at this point,” McDonnell said. “She left the country and is now in another country.”
McDonnell said the department’s investigation found no evidence that Kobayashi was trafficked or involved in any criminal activity.
The Los Angeles Police Department chief said the LAPD’s investigation into Mexico would not continue, but called on the public to come forward with reliable information about her whereabouts.
Baja is a tourist destination for surfers, solo travelers, and psychedelic retreats.
However, the city is also plagued by organized crime, violence, drugs, kidnappings, and murders, especially in Tijuana, Mexico’s largest border city.
The Los Angeles Police Department has shared that they believe she left the United States voluntarily, but even though she was declared voluntarily listed as missing on Tuesday, her family says the search continues. It’s not over,” he insisted.
“Our family believes that Hannah is safe and we urge everyone to continue the search,” the family said in a statement.
