Hannah Kobayashi's Family Reacts to Police Saying She Voluntarily Went to Mexico After Appearing to Vanish from Airport

Mar. 15, 2025

Hannah Kobayashi’s family is speaking out after police say what seemed likea weekslong missing persons casewas in fact Kobayashi’s“voluntary” decision to travel to Mexico.“We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” Kobayashi’s family said in a statementto NBC NewsandNewsNation.Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaii woman, appeared to vanish from Los Angeles in early November after traveling there from Maui and then failing to board a flight to New York, her family has said.Police began investigating in subsequent days and the casedrew national attention. Kobayashi’s loved ones also said she had sent strange texts before contact was lost.“We are terrified,” her aunt Larie Pidgeonpreviously told PEOPLE. “We’re really afraid.”(Amid the search for Kobayashi, her father, Ryan,killed himself in L.A., authorities said. “He died of a broken heart,” Pidgeon said)On Monday, Dec. 2, L.A. police said they had determined based on surveillance footage that Kobayashi decided to cross the border into Mexico on Nov. 12, one day after her family said her phone had last pinged at the L.A. airport.Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024.LAPD“We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that you’re safe," L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference.“She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her,” McDonnell said. “A simple message could reassure those who care about her.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hannah Kobayashi.Emi Ko/GoFundMeMcDonnell said that Kobayashi was “alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed” when she went to Mexico and that there was no evidence she was “being trafficked or is the victim of foul play.”The investigation also determined that Kobayashi had, in the past, “expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity,” McDonnell said.Her family, in their own statement, said they are “committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely.”They also cautioned against what they called “speculative conclusions.”“Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts,” they said.

Hannah Kobayashi’s family is speaking out after police say what seemed likea weekslong missing persons casewas in fact Kobayashi’s“voluntary” decision to travel to Mexico.

“We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” Kobayashi’s family said in a statementto NBC NewsandNewsNation.

Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Hawaii woman, appeared to vanish from Los Angeles in early November after traveling there from Maui and then failing to board a flight to New York, her family has said.

Police began investigating in subsequent days and the casedrew national attention. Kobayashi’s loved ones also said she had sent strange texts before contact was lost.

“We are terrified,” her aunt Larie Pidgeonpreviously told PEOPLE. “We’re really afraid.”

(Amid the search for Kobayashi, her father, Ryan,killed himself in L.A., authorities said. “He died of a broken heart,” Pidgeon said)

On Monday, Dec. 2, L.A. police said they had determined based on surveillance footage that Kobayashi decided to cross the border into Mexico on Nov. 12, one day after her family said her phone had last pinged at the L.A. airport.

Missing person Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on November 8th, 2024.LAPD

LAPD

“We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that you’re safe,” L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a news conference.

“She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her,” McDonnell said. “A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Hannah Kobayashi.Emi Ko/GoFundMe

Emi Ko/GoFundMe

McDonnell said that Kobayashi was “alone, with her luggage and appeared unharmed” when she went to Mexico and that there was no evidence she was “being trafficked or is the victim of foul play.”

The investigation also determined that Kobayashi had, in the past, “expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity,” McDonnell said.

Her family, in their own statement, said they are “committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely.”

They also cautioned against what they called “speculative conclusions.”

“Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts,” they said.

source: people.com