THE case surrounding missing Hannah Kobayashi took a tragic turn after her father was found dead.
Her dad travelled from Hawaii to the US to search for her but police confirmed he had died while in LA – while Hannah has now been sound safe and well.
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Hailing from Hawaii, Hannah Kobayashi went missing after she embarked on a trip of a lifetime.
Scheduled to go to New York on a bucket list trip, the traveler never made her connecting flight to the city when she stopped in Los Angeles.
She traveled to LAX from the island of Maui on November 8, 2024.
That would’ve seen her land at JFK airport on the morning of November 9, 2024, but she wasn’t on the plane.
Family members and friends had grown concerned for Hannah when they received a string of cryptic texts from her phone.
Hannah’s mom, Brandi Yee, messaged her daughter to see if she’d landed in New York, but in return received a two-word message saying only “Not yet”.
Dad searches for Hannah
A massive search for Hannah was launched.
After she vanished her father Ryan Kobayashi then travelled to LA to try and find her.
Following his daughter’s disappearance, he said: “Everything is just a blur it seems because I haven’t slept well since I’ve heard the news, and I really don’t know… it’s just really concerning.”
Ryan, spent almost two weeks searching in the wrong city.
Her family was desperate for information, worried Hannah had been kidnapped or even sex trafficked.
Ryan conducted an agonizing search throughout LA, including in some of the most dangerous parts like Skid Row, according to Hannah’s aunt Larie Pidgeon.
“Imagine looking in places like Skid Row, picturing his daughter being sex trafficked, not getting sleep,” she told the New York Post.
“He just broke.”
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Sad death
On November 25, 2024, police confirmed Ryan had tragically been found dead.
Hannah’s dad was 58 years old at the time of his passing.
His body was discovered in a car park near Los Angeles Airport (LAX) and was found two weeks after his daughter left Hawaii.
Police confirmed that Ryan had taken his own life.
Hannah is found
On December 12, 2024, Hannah’s family confirmed she had been found safe after she crossed into Mexico on November 12, 2024.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe,” her family confirmed on Wednesday.
“This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through.
“We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.”
Sara Azari, the family’s attorney, did not confirm where Hannah was found or why she traveled to Mexico and has not responded to a request for comment from The U.S. Sun.
It’s unclear whether she has learned of her dad’s death at this time.
