Missing Photographer Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe After Month-Long Search

Dec 12, 2024

Updated: Dec 21, 2024

Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe, LAPD Confirms

Hannah Kobayashi, a budding photographer who went missing last month in Los Angeles, has been located safely, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced on Wednesday.

Kobayashi’s disappearance on November 8, 2024, initiated a high-profile missing persons investigation that captivated global attention. While details about her recovery remain scarce, authorities previously stated she had voluntarily crossed the border into Mexico.

Her family and friends expressed immense relief following the news. “We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe,” wrote Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi on X (formerly Twitter). “This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family. We kindly ask for privacy as we heal and process everything we have been through. To everyone who supported us during this time, your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.”

Timeline of Events

Hannah, originally from Maui, was traveling to New York City for a new job and to visit relatives when she missed a connecting flight in Los Angeles. After staying overnight at the airport, she texted her family the next day to say she was sightseeing in the city. However, on November 11, her relatives reported her missing after receiving alarming and cryptic messages.

Her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, described the texts as “strange and alarming.” Shortly after, all communication ceased, with Hannah’s phone going silent.

Search efforts intensified as family, friends, and volunteers scoured Los Angeles. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew from Hawaii to assist in the search but tragically passed away on November 24 in a parking lot near LAX. The family later confirmed he died by suicide, calling it a “devastating tragedy.”

Voluntary Disappearance

Authorities revealed that Hannah crossed into Mexico at the San Ysidro border on November 12, the day after she was reported missing. Security footage from US Customs and Border Protection showed her walking into the country alone. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell later explained that she sought to “step away from modern connectivity.”

While the investigation has now concluded, the LAPD expressed relief over the outcome. “We are happy to learn that Hannah has been found safe,” the department said in a statement. “This is now a private matter, and we will close our investigation.”

The Kobayashi family continues to process the emotional aftermath of Hannah’s disappearance and her father’s untimely passing. They have requested privacy during this period.