Police issue update on missing Hannah Kobayashi

Police searching for missing Hannah Kobayashi have issued an update to explain that she is “voluntarily missing”.

Kobayashi’s case made headlines around the world after she disappeared last month while traveling from her home in Maui, Hawaii to New York City, with a connecting flight in Los Angeles. As per reports, she never boarded her flight to New York.

Needless to say, the mysterious circumstances of the 30-year-old’s vanishing led to all manner of questions. Her family traveled to LA and ultimately placed a missing person’s report, prompting the authorities to begin a widespread search.

Hannah Kobayashi’s father

Another layer of intrigue was added when Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was then found deceased on November 24. He had journeyed to LA to assist the search for his daughter, but officials in the city confirmed that they found him dead in a car park close to the airport.

As per BBC, the LA county coroner’s office gave the cause of death as suicide caused by multiple blunt force traumatic injuries.

Yesterday, December 2, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell held a press conference regarding Kobayashi’s disappearance, offering an update that may surprise readers.

McDonnell confirmed during the briefing that missing Hannah Kobayshi had been spotted on video surveillance.

The Police Chief said: “As the family is aware, late yesterday after traveling to the US-Mexico border we reviewed video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing United States border on foot into Mexico.”

Missing Hannah Kobayashi

He continued: “On November 8, 23 year-old Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York which the investigation determined was intentional.

“Over the next few days she maintained contact with her family and was active on Instagram.

“However, the family last heard from Hannah on November 11 after receiving concerning text messages and losing further contact her family traveled to LA on November 13 and filed a missing person report.

“On November 15, our missing person’s unit assumed investigative responsibility, detectives have been diligently reviewing video surveillance and employing various investigative technique to locate Hannah, while her family has continued their personal search efforts.

“Tragically on November 24, during the search for his daughter, Hannah’s father Ryan Kobayashi was found deceased.

“Preliminary findings indicate his death was by suicide.”

Kobayashi’s family, however, “vehemently” dispute the police’s turn of events.

McDonnell later added: “To date the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity.”