RAFU WIRE SERVICE AND STAFF REPORTS
Relatives of a Hawaii woman who went missing after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport and who police say voluntarily crossed into Mexico have reportedly been contacted by her.
TMZ reported Dec. 11 that Hannah Kobayashi, 30, reached out to relatives and has assured them she is safe.
The family released a statement expressing relief, asking for privacy, and expressing gratitude for all who helped in the search for the woman who apparently went missing last month.
Kobayashi’s family are said to be investigating the possibility she may have been involved in an immigration marriage scam.
In an online post, the family said it had not publicly released any information about the possible marriage “because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information.”
“The family has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage,” according to the family. “This is one of many leads we are actively investigating with the help of our attorney and investigative team. We would also like to confirm that we turned over the alleged information to law enforcement immediately upon receipt.”
Los Angeles Magazine, citing unnamed sources, reported Dec. 4 that Kobayashi may have been scammed out of proceeds in a green card marriage scheme, possibly involving her marrying a man from Argentina.
According to the report, Kobayashi’s mother found immigration documents at her daughter’s home in Hawaii, and the FBI was investigating the possible scam.
In its statement, the family asked people “to avoid jumping to conclusion or spreading unverified claims. It is especially important not to perpetuate speculation that anyone is involved in a scam, as this only hinders our efforts to find Hannah and bring clarity and closure to the nightmare we are living because of her disappearance.”
The family has been searching for Kobayashi since Nov. 8, when she arrived at LAX but never boarded a scheduled connecting flight to New York.
After weeks of investigation and reports of various sightings of Kobayashi around Los Angeles, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced Dec. 2 that she was seen on video crossing the border into Mexico on Nov. 12, with no foul play suspected.
McDonnell said Kobayashi traveled by bus from Union Station to the San Ysidro border station and crossed on foot with her luggage into Mexico, adding that she “appeared unharmed.”
Police also said their investigation turned up indications that Kobayashi had previously expressed a desire to disconnect from modern technology, and she is not believed to have taken her cell phone with her to Mexico.
McDonnell stressed that police “have not been able to determine any crime has been committed.”
The family said at the time that it still had not seen the video that police say shows her entering Mexico, and they are continuing their efforts to find her.
According to her family, Kobayashi was traveling to New York City to visit family when she disappeared. She landed at LAX on Nov. 8 but did not board her connecting flight, and apparently spent the night at LAX. She traveled the next day to The Grove shopping center and returned to LAX that night, according to the family.
She was spotted back at The Grove on Nov. 10 attending a Nike/LeBron James event, and likely returned to LAX again. She was spotted around 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 speaking to a ticketing agent at LAX, but she did not board a flight, according to the family.
The family says Kobayashi boarded an eastbound Metro C Line train at the Century/Aviation Station the night of Nov. 11, transferred to a northbound A Line train at the Rosa Parks Station, accompanied by an “unknown individual,” with whom she was seen at about 10 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Metro Pico Station near Cryto.com Arena.
The family says she was spotted early the next morning, Nov. 12, at the Union Station bus terminal in Downtown Los Angeles.
The family said earlier the last communications they received from Kobayashi were in strange text messages, including one in which she said she was feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity.
McDonnell insisted, however, that there was no evidence of a crime. Police also noted that they were able to identify and interview the person who was spotted on video with Kobayashi after meeting her at LAX, and he is not suspected of any wrongdoing.
McDonnell also said Kobayashi chose not to board her connecting flight to New York “for unknown reasons.” He noted that while her luggage was checked through to New York, she asked that it be returned to her at LAX, and she was seen on video picking up her luggage at an airport baggage carousel on Nov. 11. She was seen carrying the same luggage when she went into Mexico, police said.
“LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit has conducted extensive witness interviews, reviewed video surveillance and collaborated with local and federal law enforcement agencies on this case,” McDonnell said. “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. Additionally, the investigators noted that before departing Maui, Kobayashi expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity.
“Our priority is ensuring Miss Kobayashi’s safety and well-being, and we urge Miss Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that she is safe,” he said. “She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her. A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”
The heavily publicized search effort by the family took a tragic turn on Nov. 24, when Kobayashi’s father, Ryan, 58, killed himself. He was found near an LAX parking structure from which he may have jumped. During a press conference just days before his death, he said that he and his daughter were estranged but that he hoped for a reconciliation.
“After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life,” according to a statement from the family at the time. “This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably.”
In a Dec. 3 update on the family’s Go Fund Me page, Sydni Kobayashi wrote, “I wanted to first thank all of you (who) have supported me and my family in the search for my sister Hannah Kobayashi. Your donations have helped pay for food and hydration for the search teams, most of whom have been volunteers; transportation for our family and critical support team; communication devices and technology for an extensive search area with no cell phone service; a media campaign to maximize awareness of Hannah’s case and how to get in touch with the appropriate authorities; temporary accommodations for essential personnel; and on-site support for our family members.
“As my late father’s next of kin, I’m solely responsible for costs associated with his passing and funeral. Your donations have also helped me pay for our father’s funeral expenses.”
Responding to McDonnell’s assertion that Kobayashi’s disappearance is “voluntary,” the sister said, “My family and I are extremely concerned for my sister. This type of behavior is not aligned with Hannah’s character and pattern …
“My sister’s purported ‘voluntary’ disappearance is shocking to all of us and, we are extremely concerned for her safety while we continue to grieve my father’s loss. We have therefore hired an attorney and a private investigator, and we will also need legal and investigative services in Mexico in order to locate Hannah.”
McDonnell has said that LAPD will not pursue an investigation in Mexico, but will resume the investigation if Kobayashi returns to the U.S.
“In addition to the expenses associated with our continued search efforts, we now also anticipate significant legal costs and expenses as we continue our search for Hannah,” the sister said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for continuing to support my family and Hannah.”
As of Dec. 11, the family had raised more than $47,000 toward the goal of $50,000.