On November 8, 2024, Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer from Maui, disappeared after intentionally missing her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). She was supposed to travel from Maui to New York City, but instead, she vanished under mysterious circumstances, prompting concern from her family and friends.
Hannah was last seen at LAX, where security footage clearly showed her collecting her luggage. Reports suggest she experienced what some describe as a "spiritual awakening" shortly before her disappearance. A week later, on November 12, U.S. immigration officials confirmed they had video of her crossing the border from California to Mexico, near Tijuana. LAPD Chief of Detectives Alan Hamilton stated, "She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed. This case has been classified as voluntary missing."
Before embarking on this trip, there were noticeable signs of emotional distress. Hannah sent out unsettling messages to friends indicating fear of losing money and even bizarre experiences related to potential scams. Her frantic texts suggested she was worried about identity theft and expressed misguided trust in those she thought might help her. One eerie message stated, “I got tricked pretty much, giving away all my funds for someone I thought I loved.” This crying out for help raised alarms among her loved ones.
The day following her disappearance, Hannah's family, fearing she had been abducted, reported her missing. Their worries deepened when texts from her phone became cryptic, and communication stalled altogether. According to police, Hannah had decided to disconnect entirely from technology, leading investigators to suspect her intention was not to seek help but to detach from her life. Douglas Oldfield, the lead investigator, mentioned, “By reviewing her social media activity, we noticed signs consistent with someone wanting to disconnect.” Hannah reportedly traveled on public transport to L.A.’s Union Station and then purchased bus tickets to cross the border.
Despite the investigation’s focus on the potential for foul play, authorities later asserted there was no indication of trafficking or criminal activity. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell emphasized, “We’ve put serious resources behind this investigation. Anything indicating she is being trafficked has not surfaced.”
Tragedy struck the Kobayashi family when Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, died by suicide just over two weeks after his daughter went missing. After tirelessly searching for his daughter throughout Los Angeles, his despair became unbearable. A Facebook post on the "Help Us Find Hannah" group shared the heartbreaking news, stating, “The Kobayashi family has endured immense tragedy... Ryan was living out his worst nightmare, seeking his daughter, and now he has left us.” Adding to the pain, Ryan was believed to have searched neighborhoods like Skid Row, fearing the worst for his daughter's safety.
While Hannah's family maintains hope for her return, they expressed frustration at the lack of transparency from law enforcement about the case. Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, publicly questioned the belief Hannah went missing voluntarily, stating, “Based on information, surveillance footage we reviewed with my mother, it does not appear Hannah intentionally missed her flight.”
Adding to the complexity of the situation were mysterious financial transactions made shortly before Hannah disappeared. Two Venmo payments were sent from her account, one to someone seemingly unknown to her family, raising suspicions about potential scams. Hannah’s aunt Larie reported, “It’s shocking. We couldn’t make sense of these payments, or the claims of meeting someone through social media.” These revelations only deepened the family’s distress as they sought clarity on Hannah’s whereabouts.
Despite these difficult circumstances, family members urge the public to remain vigilant. They released statements expressing gratitude to the LAPD for their efforts yet emphasized the importance of continuing the search for Hannah, decrying speculative conclusions. “We want answers and resolution. Keeping the awareness alive is imperative for Hannah’s safety,” the family implored.
The past weeks have unfolded with relentless twists, contrasting Hannah’s joyous bucket list trip with the heartache of her family’s tragedy. If you see Hannah, or have any information about her case, contact local authorities. Meanwhile, if you’re struggling, reach out for help - you’re not alone.