**Search Continues for Missing Woman in Los Angeles**
In Los Angeles, volunteers have joined the ongoing search for Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who vanished more than two weeks ago after missing a connecting flight to New York City. Tragically, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had also been part of the search efforts, was discovered deceased in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport on Sunday. Authorities believe his death was a suicide, confirmed by both police and family members.
**Details of Her Disappearance**
Hannah Kobayashi is a budding photographer from Maui who was traveling to New York on November 8 for a new job opportunity and to visit family. During her layover at Los Angeles International Airport, she missed her connecting flight and informed her family that she would be spending the night at the airport. Family members initially thought she was trying to board another flight on standby. However, the following day, Hannah sent a message stating she was exploring Los Angeles and planned to visit The Grove shopping center as well as downtown.
On November 11, things took a concerning turn. Family members received distressing and cryptic text messages from Hannah’s phone. The messages indicated that she had been “intercepted” while boarding a Metro train and expressed fear about someone potentially stealing her identity. According to her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, after the alarming texts, Hannah’s phone became unresponsive. Pidgeon refrained from providing more details about the texts or comments on the surveillance footage of Hannah that police are currently examining due to the ongoing investigation.
**Law Enforcement’s Response**
The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case, though specific details have not been disclosed. Following a news conference held by the family, Pidgeon noted that it seemed the LAPD had stepped up their efforts, indicating the detectives were retracing Hannah’s movements and seeking further surveillance footage. As of now, police officials have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the case.
**Search Efforts**
In Los Angeles, family and friends are actively searching for Hannah, with the support of local volunteers who joined the efforts over the weekend. Pidgeon mentioned that their focus primarily centers around downtown and the vicinity of The Grove, which is located a few miles west of downtown. “It’s completely out of character for her not to keep in touch with her loved ones,” Pidgeon remarked on Hannah’s behavior.
**Tragic News About Her Father**
In a devastating development, Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, tragically passed away. He had traveled from Hawaii to aid in the search for his daughter and was found deceased early Sunday morning in a parking lot close to the airport, as reported by the county’s medical examiner. Police responded to the scene around 4 a.m. after reports of a deceased individual were made. The family released a statement confirming Ryan’s death, describing their experience as a “devastating tragedy” and attributing his death to suicide.
“After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life,” the family stated. They added that this loss has significantly deepened their family’s suffering. They have requested privacy during this difficult time while also emphasizing the importance of continuing the search for Hannah, who is still considered missing and potentially in danger. The family urged everyone to remain alert and active in finding her.