Hawaii Photographer Found in Mexico After Disappearance

Missing Photographer Surfaces in Mexico

Just days after being reported missing from Los Angeles International Airport, 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi has been spotted crossing the US-Mexico border. While her disappearance sparked a frantic search involving family, volunteers, and law enforcement, authorities say that based on available evidence, Kobayashi is not considered a missing person.

A Budding Photographer’s Vanishing Act

Kobayashi, a budding photographer from Maui, had arrived at LAX on November 8, ready to begin a new job in New York City. Her plans included a stopover in Los Angeles for a connecting flight, along with a visit to relatives.

Reassuring her family, she said she planned to spend the night at the airport. However, Kobayashi didn’t make her connection and went unresponsive. Concerned, her family initiated a missing persons report.

Confusing Messages and a Desperate Search

Initially optimistic, family members assumed Kobayashi might be stuck on standby for another flight. Yet, she texted them the following day, expressing excitement about sightseeing in Los Angeles.

Their hopes fluctuated on November 11, when they received alarming text messages from Kobayashi’s phone.

They described a unsettling experience of being “intercepted” while boarding a Metro train and the unsettling fear of having her identity stolen. Her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, shared this chilling information with authorities.

Adding to the heartache, Kobayashi’s father, Ryan Kobayaship, actively joined the search for his daughter, working alongside volunteers. Tragically, he was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on Sunday, his death ruled an apparent suicide by police.

Evidence from the Border

A breakthrough arrived late Sunday evening when U.S. Customs and Border Protection released surveillance footage to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Key ストレッチ footage showed Kobayashi crossing the pedestrian border into Mexico at around noon on November 12.

“We’ve basically done everything we can do at this point. She’s left the country and in another nation now,” explained LAPD Chief of Police, Jim McDonnell in a press conference.

He affirmed that Kobayashi appeared unharmed in the footage and emphasized her case is now classified as a “voluntary missing person.”

While relieved to know Kobayashi’s wellbeing, LAPD Chief McDonnell urged anyone contemplating a similar act to consider the profound impact on their loved ones.

“My ask would be to anybody considering doing this, think about the people you’re leaving behind,” said McDonnell. “Your loved ones who are going to be worried sick about you.

The number of people, including law enforcement, and other partners who are going to be looking for you, which then potentially takes them away from other work that is also critically important.”

Are there any details about ​how Hannah Kobayashi crossed the US-Mexico border?

## Missing Photographer Surfaces in Mexico

**Interviewer:** Joining⁢ us today is [Alex Reed Name],⁣ a close friend of Hannah Kobayashi, the young photographer who recently caused concern after⁣ disappearing from LAX. Hannah, thankfully, has​ been found safe in ‌Mexico. [Alex Reed Name], can ⁤you tell us what happened?

**Alex Reed:** It’s been a whirlwind‌ of emotions these past few days. ⁢Hannah’s disappearance was completely out of character. We were⁢ all incredibly worried. She was supposed to be heading to ‍a new job in New York and had⁤ a layover in LA. We weren’t‌ sure what happened when she didn’t make her connecting flight and became unreachable.

**Interviewer:** Her family initially​ thought she may have been stuck on standby ​for⁣ another flight, but then ⁢they received ⁢a confusing text from her expressing excitement about sightseeing in LA.

**Alex Reed:** Yes, that text‌ message really threw us⁣ for a loop. It‌ was confusing because it didn’t explain why she ⁤hadn’t boarded ​her flight or contacted anyone.

**Interviewer:** Now, thankfully, we know Hannah’s ‍safe. Can you tell us anything ⁣about how‍ she⁢ ended up in ⁣Mexico?

⁢**Alex Reed:** All we know right now ⁢is that she was spotted crossing​ the US-Mexico border. The authorities are treating it as a non-missing person case based on the information they have. ‍We’re still waiting to hear more ⁣from Hannah directly⁤ to understand what happened and why she chose⁢ to go to ‍Mexico.

**Interviewer:** Has Hannah ​been in‌ contact with her family since being found?

**Alex Reed:** Yes, she has spoken to her ‌family, and they are relieved to​ know she is safe. However, I think ​everyone is still trying to process what happened. We’re all hoping to get more answers from ‌Hannah soon.

**Interviewer:** This situation highlights​ how quickly a missing person case can develop and the emotional toll it can take on loved ones. Thank you for sharing this update with us, [Alex Reed Name]. We’ll continue following this story ‌and‌ bringing you updates as they become available.