The family of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi is expressing dissatisfaction with the Los Angeles police’s classification of her disappearance as a “voluntary missing person” case. During an appearance on NBC News, her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, voiced her concerns, stating that the family should have been shown the video evidence that reportedly shows Hannah crossing into Mexico alone on November 12.
Police Chief Jim McDonnell explained that the department has exhausted its leads and believes there is no foul play involved. Despite this, Sydni Kobayashi and family attorney Sara Azari conveyed that they are confused and frustrated with the lack of transparency and communication from the authorities. Azari emphasized that it is premature to label the case a voluntary detachment without further investigation and input from Hannah’s family.
Sydni Kobayashi expressed deep worries about her sister’s well-being, particularly fearing that she may be a victim of human trafficking—a theory that police have dismissed. She noted that it is unusual for Hannah, a native of Maui, to lose contact with her loved ones for an extended period.
In light of the situation, the family is planning to send volunteers to search for Hannah in Mexico. The police assured them that should she return to the U.S. through an official crossing, they would be alerted. Sydni urged Hannah to reach out to her family, emphasizing their unconditional support and love.
While the family’s own search efforts continue, they also expressed gratitude toward the police for their initial response. A collective statement from Hannah’s family indicated a commitment to ensuring her safety and the continuation of their search efforts.
Police released details of Hannah’s last known movements, which exhibit a concerning timeline. After arriving in Los Angeles from Honolulu, Hannah missed a connecting flight to New York. Over the days that followed, her communication with family became alarming, culminating in her last distressing message where she expressed fear of someone trying to steal her identity.
Hannah was last seen at a Greyhound bus terminal before surveillance footage captured her crossing into Mexico, where she has not been located since. Lt. Douglas Oldfield from the Missing Persons Unit remarked that Hannah’s social media activity led to the speculation that she might have chosen to disconnect from her previous life.
The situation has taken a profound personal toll on the Kobayashi family; tragically, on November 24, Hannah’s father, Ryan, died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport.
In the midst of the ongoing investigation, the family urged the public and law enforcement to remain focused on finding Hannah rather than speculating about her circumstances.
This case highlights the importance of communication between law enforcement and families of missing individuals, as well as the vital support needed for those going through emotional crises. The family remains hopeful that continued advocacy and search efforts will lead to Hannah’s safe return.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for support.