The Los Angeles Police Department said that the disappearance case of 30-year-old Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, who was seen checking into Los Angeles International Airport last month, has now been reclassified as a “voluntary missing person.” Surveillance footage confirmed that on Nov. 12 Kobayashi crossed the U.S.-Mexico border alone on foot at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
There has been no evidence of foul play or human trafficking as of this writing, said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell during a press conference. “She was alone, appeared unharmed, and seemed to be carrying her luggage,” he said. Kobayashi was reported missing on November 13 when her family lost contact with her; in those final text messages, she sent her sister some “cryptic” messages with fears about her safety.
The investigation found that Kobayashi had chosen to remain in Los Angeles instead of getting on her connecting flight to New York on November 8. She then requested that her luggage be redirected to LAX and was spotted in a number of places around the city before leaving for Mexico. McDonnell said, “She has expressed a desire to disconnect from modern life.
Further tragic to the incident is the discovery of Ryan, the father of Kobayashi, who was found dead from suicide next to LAX on November 24. The family requested privacy since then.
According to McDonnell, Kobayashi is not a suspect in the incident but encourages her to contact her family or anyone to make them aware of her safety status. “She has every right to her privacy, but her family deserves reassurance,” McDonnell said.
The case is left open but is considered closed unless new evidence comes to light.
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