Editor’s Note: This story contains discussion of suicide. Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters.
In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.
CNN
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It’s been two weeks since Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi went missing after she did not board a connecting flight to New York City during a layover at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead Sunday, after he had traveled to Los Angeles to search for her.
Ryan Kobayashi’s body was found Sunday around 4 a.m. on West Century Boulevard, the LAPD confirmed to CNN – at an address near the airport. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office determined he died by suicide.
The Kobayashi family said the “devastating tragedy” only adds to their anguish.
“After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” the family said in a statement released through a nonprofit group helping with the search.
As the search for Hannah continues, here’s what we know:
Hannah had plans to spend time with an aunt in upstate New York earlier this month.
On November 8, she took a flight from Maui to Los Angeles. She was supposed to take a connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport the same day but did not board, her sister, Sydni, previously told CNN.
Hannah had the same itinerary as an ex-boyfriend. The pair decided to keep their flights since they could not get a refund but would be going their separate ways once they landed in New York, Sydni said.
The next day, Hannah was spotted at a Taschen bookstore at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, her sister said, and it is unclear why she was there. Hannah then sent a Venmo payment to two people whose names the family does not recognize, Sydni said.
On Sunday, November 10, a video was posted on YouTube showing Hannah at the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, an event held at the Nike store in the same shopping center. A photo of the event was also posted on her Instagram account, her sister said.
On November 11 – the last day anyone heard from the missing woman – her mother texted her, asking whether she made it to New York. Hannah responded no, her sister said. Hannah also sent messages to a friend saying she did not feel safe, and someone was trying to steal her identify and funds, according to screenshots her sister sent to CNN.
“Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday,” one message to a friend said.
Another message said, “I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds,” followed by one saying, “For someone I thought I loved.”
On November 15, the Los Angeles Police Department’s missing persons unit made a poster about Hannah’s disappearance, saying she was last seen at the airport. It said she has freckles on her face and a tattoo on her forearm.
In a statement posted to Facebook on November 17, Sydni said the family had obtained surveillance footage showing her sister around the downtown Metro train station near Crypto.com Arena, although it was unclear exactly when the footage was taken.
In the footage, Hannah is not alone and “does not appear to be in good condition,” the family wrote, saying they are unable to share further details.
Hannah’s father Ryan traveled to Los Angeles not long after his daughter’s disappearance to help look for her.
“Hannah loved to travel. She loved photography, art, music. I wasn’t too close with her … growing up. We haven’t had contact for a while,” the elder Kobayashi told CNN’s Veronica Miracle in an interview last week. “I’m just trying to make up. I’m trying to get her back. That’s my main focus.”
But after searching for his 30-year-old daughter for nearly two weeks, he was found dead, according to a family statement.
Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, briefly spoke with CNN about Ryan’s death.
“As you can imagine the family is devastated,” Pidgeon said on Monday. “We also want to make it clear that Ryan died of a broken heart.”
A newly released statement Monday from the family said they are “overwhelmed by the immense outpouring of love and support” during this time.
“The loss of Ryan has been a heartbreaking tragedy for all of us, and we are forever grateful for the compassion and strength you have shown. As we navigate the unimaginable grief, we are holding onto hope and turning to our community for help,” the statement said.
“The search for our beloved Hannah must continue with the same love and determination that Ryan would have wanted. We need your help, we need your strength. Our family needs you. The search for our dear Hannah must continue with unwavering hope and determination. She is still out there, and we believe that together, we can bring her home,” it continued.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ryan’s fiancée “during this unimaginable time.”
CNN’s Karina Tsui, Amanda Jackson, Elizabeth Wolfe, Maria Aguilar Prieto, Natasha Chen and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
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Tragedy Unfolds in Search for Missing Hawaii Woman as Father Dies
Editor’s Note: This story contains discussion of suicide. Help is available if you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health matters.
In the US: Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Globally: The International Association for Suicide Prevention and Befrienders Worldwide have contact information for crisis centers around the world.
Missing Person Case Turns into a Family Tragedy
In an unfolding tragedy, the search for 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi, who has been missing since November 8, took a heart-wrenching turn when her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in Los Angeles. His body was discovered early Sunday morning near Los Angeles International Airport, where he had traveled in desperation to find his daughter.
Ryan’s passing, ruled as a suicide by the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office, has deepened the Kobayashi family’s anguish. They expressed that this devastating tragedy adds to their already unbearable grief. “After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” the family stated through a nonprofit aiding in the search.
Background on Hannah’s Disappearance
According to relatives, Hannah was traveling from Maui to New York City, planning to spend time with an aunt after a layover in Los Angeles. However, she missed her connecting flight. The last confirmed sighting of her was on November 9 at a bookstore in Los Angeles, after which she sent a mysterious Venmo payment to unknown individuals.
On November 10, a video surfaced showing Hannah attending a Nike event at The Grove shopping center, and subsequent communications revealed her increasingly distressed state. Hannah informed her mother and a friend that she did not feel safe and was wary of identity theft. “Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday,” one of her messages read, echoing her precarious mental state before her disappearance.
Family’s Response and Ongoing Search
As authorities continue the search for Hannah, her family has remained publicly engaged, hoping that renewed attention might lead to her whereabouts. The Los Angeles Police Department issued a missing persons poster on November 15, detailing Hannah’s appearance and last known location.
Amidst this turmoil, Ryan Kobayashi was determined to find his daughter, stating in an earlier interview, “Hannah loved to travel. She loved photography, art, music. I wasn’t too close with her … growing up. We haven’t had contact for a while. I’m just trying to make up. I’m trying to get her back. That’s my main focus.”
Community Support and Calls for Help
The family acknowledged the outpouring of support they have received during this difficult period, expressing their gratitude for the compassion shown by the community. A statement issued recently highlighted their intention to continue the search with the same vigor Ryan would have wanted. “We need your help, we need your strength. Our family needs you. The search for our dear Hannah must continue with unwavering hope and determination. She is still out there, and we believe that together, we can bring her home,” the family said.
A GoFundMe page has also been established to support Ryan’s fiancée during this unimaginable time, and the community continues to rally around the family in their search for justice and closure.
Seeking Help
In light of these events, mental health awareness is paramount. Individuals struggling with thoughts of self-harm or crisis can seek assistance through national and international support hotlines, ensuring that no one feels alone in their struggle.
The Kobayashi family’s heartbreak emphasizes the urgent need for understanding, support, and community in times of crisis. The ongoing search for Hannah represents not only a personal endeavor for her family but also a call for collective action in ensuring the well-being of those who may be struggling in silence.
What steps is the Kobayashi family taking to locate Hannah, and how can the community assist in the search efforts?
Ce and urging anyone with information to come forward. The family is adamant that they will not give up the search, stating, “We are holding onto hope and turning to our community for help. The search for our beloved Hannah must continue with the love and determination that Ryan would have wanted.”
The grieving family also expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support they have received from the public and local organizations during this difficult time. In their statement, they emphasized the importance of unity in the face of such a harrowing experience and reaffirmed their commitment to finding Hannah. They expect that every lead will be fully investigated and that as a community, they can come together to help locate her.
In honor of both Hannah and Ryan, a GoFundMe page has been established to assist Ryan’s fiancée and cover ongoing search expenses. The family is urging anyone who can contribute to do so, as it provides them with hope and support during an unimaginably challenging period.
As the search efforts resume, the Kobayashi family remains resilient, relying on hope, faith, and the kindness of their community to guide them through the darkness. They are determined to keep Hannah’s memory alive and are asking for continued prayers and support as they navigate through this tragedy.
