Everything You Need to Know About Hannah Kobayashi’s Mysterious Disappearance in California

On November 8, Hannah Kobayashi, an artist from Maui who is well-known for her geometric and mandala works, took a plane from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport to start her adventure.

She never got on the flight that was supposed to take her to New York City. Kobayashi had previously stated that she wanted to “step away from modern connectivity” prior to her trip, according to police.

Additionally, “Her social media posts indicated she wanted to disconnect from her phone,” said Lt. Douglas Oldfield of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

Kobayashi went to a number of places in Los Angeles, such as Union Station and The Grove shopping district, after leaving the airport without her phone. On November 12, she was last observed carrying her bags across the US-Mexico border.

Cryptic messages are alarming the family

Kobayashi’s family reported her missing after receiving frightening texts from her prior to losing touch.

“She mentioned feeling scared and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” her aunt Larie Pidgeon told KTLA-TV. It was very different from her to receive strange, cryptic signals regarding the matrix.

Then, suddenly, there was no more communication. Surveillance footage was used to piece together Kobayashi’s movements.

On November 11, she was spotted picking up her checked bags from the Los Angeles airport, buying a bus ticket to San Diego, and then walking across the border at San Ysidro.

The search for the family took a tragic turn

Ryan Kobayashi, her father, went to Los Angeles to help with the hunt. But when his body was discovered on November 18 close to Los Angeles International Airport, authorities concluded he had committed suicide.

His death was characterized by his family as a “devastating tragedy.” Since then, Kobayashi’s sister Sydni has set up a GoFundMe page to help the family and the hunt. Over $47,000 has been raised by the campaign.

The conclusion of the active search and the police findings

On December 4, the LAPD declared that Kobayashi was being classified as a “voluntary missing person,” confirming that she had traveled to Mexico by herself.

“As of now, the investigation has not found any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play,” said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. Additionally, she is not a suspect in any crimes.

Kobayashi traveled with a man she met at the airport, according to the LAPD. But investigators supported his story of their brief encounter, absolving him of any wrongdoing.

“She has a right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her,” Chief McDonnell emphasized.

The family promises to keep looking. Even though the LAPD decided to stop the search for Kobayashi, the family has expressed their dissatisfaction and will to keep looking.

“She’s been to different places, but she’s always checked in,” Sydni Kobayashi told NBC News. She never fails to update us on events. The family’s attorney, Sara Azari, acknowledged that they are looking for Kobayashi in Mexico.

“At the very least, she must be found because her family is worried about her welfare,” Azari stated.

Who is Hannah Kobayashi ?

Hannah Kobayashi is a Maui, Hawaii-based photographer and artist who is thirty years old. She is renowned for her unique style, which includes freckles on her face and a knife tattoo on her forearm.

She is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 63.5 kg. Her artistic interests are reflected in the geometric and mandala artwork on her Instagram account.

The original idea for Kobayashi’s trip was to visit relatives in upstate New York, with a stopover in Brooklyn on November 13th to take pictures of a performance.

Her choice to change her course is still unknown, which adds to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.