A 30-year-old Hawaii woman who was at the center of a missing person search in Los Angeles intentionally entered Mexico, apparently as part of a desire to “break ties,” police said Monday. Announced.
The case involving Maui’s Hannah Kobayashi has been reclassified as a “voluntary disappearance” case, but the case remains open until police can confirm she is safe, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said. said at a press conference Monday night.
McDonnell added that there is no evidence that Kobayashi is a victim of human trafficking or criminal activity.
Lt. Douglas Oldfield of the police department’s missing persons unit said at a news conference that detectives looked at Kobayashi’s social media accounts and believed she was “desiring isolation.”
“When we looked at her past social media, we found that there were consistent desires and posts for people who had a desire to disconnect from their phones,” he said.
He said he couldn’t say detectives were “100% correct,” but that he knew she didn’t have her cell phone with her after leaving Los Angeles International Airport.
The press conference said the family was surprised when McDonnell told the Los Angeles Police Commission last week that Kobayashi intentionally missed his connecting flight to New York after arriving in Los Angeles on Nov. 8. This was done in response to a report by NBC Los Angeles.
On Monday, McDonnell said Kobayashi had the package rerouted from New York City to Los Angeles, and she received it on Nov. 11.
Missing the flight, she stayed in Los Angeles, where she lost contact with her family, sparking concerns that eventually led her to file a missing persons report with Los Angeles International Airport Police and the FBI.
Security video showing Kobayashi with an unknown man in Los Angeles caused further fear when Kobayashi received text messages saying someone was trying to steal from her, her family said in an interview last month. revealed.
Police announced Monday that the man seen in surveillance video with Kobayashi in Los Angeles was found and cooperated with investigators, leading investigators to conclude there was no foul play.
According to NBC Los Angeles, Kobayashi’s family also expressed regret that McDonnell incorrectly listed Kobayashi’s age as 23 in his annual police commission report. According to the report, the man also gave the wrong date on the missing person’s report.
“We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication shown by law enforcement in investigating Hannah’s disappearance. Our family is confident that Hannah is safe and we urge everyone to continue the search.” “The search is not yet over, but we will do everything in our power to bring her home safely,” the family said in a statement.
“We want answers and solutions to ensure Hannah’s safety, and we urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding Hannah and avoid speculative conclusions. It is important to spread the word and share verified information about her case, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts. ”
Kobayashi arrived at LAX from Honolulu at 9:53 p.m. on Nov. 8 and is scheduled to board a connecting flight to New York at 11 p.m., her sister Sidoni Kobayashi said on her private Facebook page, “Looking for Hannah.” Please help me,” he said on his timeline.
According to her family, Hannah Kobayashi aspired to be an artist and photographer and planned to visit the Museum of Modern Art in New York to absorb Manhattan’s art scene.
However, Kobayashi’s aunt, Larry Pidgeon, said in an interview last month that Kobayashi missed his connecting flight to New York because there was not enough time between his arrival gate and his departure gate.
Relatives said Kobayashi spent time sightseeing in Los Angeles while waiting for a flight to New York.
The next day and the day after that, she went to The Grove Shopping Center in the Beverly Grove neighborhood, about 12 miles north of LAX, and returned to LAX each time, according to her Facebook timeline. .
Kobayashi posted a photo on her Instagram account that appeared to be taken near or at The Grove, and NBC News confirmed it was hers.
On Nov. 11, she was escorted by an unidentified man onto a subway train bound for South Los Angeles, where she was then seen talking to a ticket agent at the airport before heading to downtown Los Angeles, police said. That’s what it means.
According to her family, she sent a message that day that worried her family because the content and voice did not resemble her.
“Hannah’s last message to us was alarming. She said she was scared and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” Pidgeon said. said on Facebook.
The next morning, Nov. 12, she was seen unaccompanied at a Greyhound bus stop in downtown Los Angeles, according to her Facebook timeline.
Pidgeon said it was the last time anyone in her family knew where she was.
McDonnell said Kobayashi was reported missing on Nov. 13, but the Los Angeles Police Department took over the case on Nov. 15. An FBI spokesperson said the FBI is assisting with the investigation.
Police announced Monday that U.S. Customs and Border Protection reviewed footage of Kobayashi entering Mexico at the San Ysidro area land port in San Diego on Nov. 12 at 12:13 p.m.
Police Chief McDonnell said Kobayashi had committed no criminal activity and had the right to move freely, but urged her to contact her family as they were concerned.
“She has a right to privacy and we respect her choice, but we also understand the concerns her loved ones feel for her,” he said. “A simple message might reassure those who care about her.”
Police announced that Kobayashi’s father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles to search for Kobayashi.
The Los Angeles County Coroner announced that Ryan Kobayashi, 58, died of multiple blunt force trauma.
“I’m so sorry for everything the family went through,” McDonnell said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also find additional resources by calling the network formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, texting HOME to 741741, or visiting SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources. You can also get one.
