Hannah Kobayashi, a 31-year-old from Hawaii who was reported missing after disappearing from Los Angeles International Airport in November, has informed her family that she does not wish to return home.
Speaking with her mother and sister over the phone, she confirmed that she is currently in Mexico, but declined to provide further details or consider reuniting with her family, according to a statement by her sister Sydni Kobayashi.
In a message shared on social media, Sydni expressed mixed emotions, describing the family’s relief at hearing from Hannah but also the “exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal” they are experiencing.
She emphasized that this remains a difficult and painful time for their family, as they continue to grieve the loss of their father, Ryan Kobayashi, who tragically died by suicide during the search for Hannah on November 24.
Family tensions amidst the search
The search for Hannah revealed significant tension within her family, particularly between her sister Sydni and her aunt, Larie Pidgeon. Sydni accused Pidgeon of turning the search into a “media circus” and acting against the wishes of Hannah’s immediate family, reported the Dailymail.
Pidgeon, meanwhile, defended her actions, asserting that she was doing everything in her power to locate her niece and dismissed the criticisms as a misunderstanding.
The family has also faced public scrutiny for their handling of the case and the GoFundMe fundraiser established to support the search efforts and Ryan’s funeral expenses. While Sydni insists that all donations were used transparently, she acknowledged the intense public pressure and emotional toll of the ordeal.
Hannah’s last known activities
Hannah was last seen on surveillance footage crossing into Mexico on November 12, the day after she missed a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York.
Reports suggest she voluntarily entered Mexico alone and appeared unharmed, according to statements from the Los Angeles Police Department. Before her disappearance, she had been embroiled in a complicated personal situation involving a green card marriage, which may have contributed to her decision to leave the United States.
Hannah’s family has asked for privacy as they attempt to process the events of the past month.