LOS ANGELES — The family of a Hawaii woman who disappeared after arriving in Los Angeles three weeks ago expressed their discontent with the ongoing investigation, noting they have not viewed the surveillance footage that depicts her entering Mexico.
According to Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, the video shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi walking alone with her luggage into a covered area at the San Ysidro border crossing in San Diego on November 12, one day after her family reported her missing.
Chief McDonnell indicated that there is currently no evidence suggesting that Kobayashi is a victim of trafficking or any criminal activity, stating that her case has now been classified as a “voluntary missing person.”
Hannah’s sister, Sydni Kobayashi, communicated her family’s frustration to Hawaii News Now, revealing that they only learned this Monday about Hannah’s actions of crossing into Mexico weeks prior.
“Their claims of keeping us updated throughout the process are absolutely incorrect,” Sydni Kobayashi stated on Tuesday. “We feel as though we’ve been kept in the dark, and this news felt like a significant blow to us.”
Meanwhile, family members, friends, and community volunteers have organized search efforts in Los Angeles to find Hannah. Investigators discovered the video of her crossing while examining surveillance footage from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to Chief McDonnell. However, the family reported that law enforcement has not shared any of that footage with them.
In their search for answers, the family has enlisted the help of a private investigator and attorney, as they remain fearful for Hannah’s safety, as reported by Hawaii News Now.
“While authorities claim that she was seen alone, this does not rule out the possibility that someone could be observing her from a distance, especially considering how widely discussed this case has become,” her sister expressed. “It raises concerns about her being under some form of control or manipulation.”
McDonnell reiterated that her disappearance seems to be a voluntary decision, as she sought to “disconnect from modern connectivity.”
“We have done everything within our capabilities at this point. She has left the country and is currently in a different nation,” he stated, noting that if she returns to the U.S., law enforcement will be prompted to respond. He refrained from further comments on the situation.
The aspiring photographer from Maui went missing after she failed to board a connecting flight to New York on November 8, which she was supposed to take for a new job opportunity and to visit family.
