After a massive and lengthy search for a 30-year-old woman from Maui who went missing in Los Angeles last month, sparking concerns of human trafficking and foul play, investigators announced Monday that she was spotted crossing into Mexico, appeared to be unharmed and has been identified. “a person who is missing voluntarily.”
Hannah Kobayashi traveled from Maui to LA on November 8.
There, investigators said he deliberately missed his connecting flight to New York where he planned to visit an aunt.
The Maui native was spotted the next day at The Grove for LeBron James’ event, with family members saying they received related documents from him.
He was then seen at the Pico Metro Station near the Crypto.com Arena at 10 pm on November 11 by an unknown person.
As the weeks passed and the search intensified, with more family members going to Los Angeles to look for her, they openly said they thought Hannah might have been harmed by someone else.
Police, however, said Kobayashi was seen on surveillance cameras at LAX on Nov. 11 where he took his bag, which had been checked in New York.
Hannah Kobayashi was spotted in Los Angeles in a surveillance photo obtained by family members. (viewer’s photo)
“The investigation revealed that Kobayashi knowingly left LAX with her luggage and went to Union Station,” the LAPD news release said. “While at Union Station, he used his passport to purchase a bus ticket to the Mexican border.”
LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit investigators went to the US-Mexico border on Dec. 1 where they saw footage of the 30-year-old entering Mexico from San Ysidro on Nov. 12.
Where is Hannah Kobayashi? What we know
While he was in Mexico, his search continued in LA On Nov. 24, took a turn for the worse when his father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX, where the family’s search was centered.
The LAPD said he died by suicide.
Ryan spoke to KTLA a few days before his death, hoping to reach his daughter.
“I miss him,” he said. “Just wanting him to know that and just wanting him to reach out – anything.”
At a press conference on Monday, detectives said that before leaving Maui, the 30-year-old expressed a desire to leave the current relationship and added that it was unclear if he still had his cell phone.
In addition, the authorities said that Kobayashi is not a suspect in any criminal activity and that his designation as a voluntary missing person shows a balance between respecting his privacy claims and ensuring that any investigative measures are carried out within the rules and regulations.
“Our priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of Ms. Kobayashi,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference. “We encourage Mrs. Kobayashi to talk to her family, law enforcement or staff at the United States embassy to let us know that she is safe. He has a right to privacy, and we respect his choice, but we also understand the concern his loved ones feel. A simple message can strengthen those who care about him.”
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