Questions surround the disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a 31-year-old woman from Hawaii, who vanished after arriving at LAX on November 8 for a connecting flight to New York City. Her family is actively searching for her in Los Angeles, retracing her steps and challenging statements made by the LAPD.
Kobayashi was scheduled to fly from LAX to JFK on November 8 but never boarded her connecting flight. Although she was seen at LAX again on November 11, she didn't board a flight then either, despite having a detailed itinerary and a booked hotel room in New York. The situation became even more concerning when the family received a series of unusual text messages from Kobayashi's phone that day, after which communication ceased.
During a recent police commission meeting, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that investigators believe Kobayashi missed her initial flight intentionally. However, the family disputes this assertion, emphasizing that this information was not directly communicated to them and contradicts their understanding of the situation based on surveillance footage and other evidence. They also noted discrepancies in the LAPD's timeline.
One of the cryptic text messages Kobayashi sent mentioned being tricked into giving away her money. The family’s independent investigation uncovered surveillance footage showing Kobayashi with an unidentified man near the Pico Metro station on November 11, a location her family says she wouldn't normally visit. They've also confirmed her presence at The Grove shopping center on November 10 and her interaction with staff at a bookstore there on November 11, where she reportedly appeared to be in good spirits.
Tragically, Kobayashi's father died by suicide on November 24th in Los Angeles. Despite this devastating loss, the family remains determined to find Hannah and has asked anyone with information to contact the RAD Movement hotline.
The LAPD maintains that the investigation is ongoing, but the family feels excluded from key developments and questions the official narrative surrounding Kobayashi's disappearance.
