The missing woman’s father, Ryan, died of apparent suicide

Ryan Kobayashi, father of Hannah Kobayashiwho had been missing since early November, died of an apparent suicide on Sunday morning.

A statement from the RAD movement – a nonprofit organization helping the Kobayashi family in their search for Hannah – confirmed Ryan’s death. “The Kobayashi family suffered a devastating tragedy today,” the statement said. “After thirteen days of tireless searching throughout Los Angeles, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has immeasurably increased the family’s suffering.”

In a statement shared with Rolling stoneAccording to the LAPD, Kobayashi’s body was found around 4 a.m. on Sunday, November 24, on a stretch of West Century Boulevard near Los Angeles International Airport. “The LAPD has notified the Mayor’s Crisis Response Team and is providing resources and support as needed,” the statement continued. “The Los Angeles Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family at this tragic time.”

Ryan had recently traveled to Los Angeles to help find Hannah. He had also spoken to the media several times and that was significant CNN in an interview: “Hannah loved to travel. She loved photography, art, music. I wasn’t that close to her… growing up. We hadn’t been in touch for a while. I’m just trying to make it right. I’m trying to get her back. That is my main focus.”

The RAD movement’s statement said the Kobayashi family still “urges the public to continue to focus on the search for” Hannah. They said she is “still actively missing and in immediate danger. It is critical that everyone remains vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah.”

They continued, “What the family needs most at this difficult time is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion and prayers. Please be considerate with your comments and messages. The trauma they endure is profound, and they now face the added burden of grieving the loss of their family’s mainstay and navigating the next steps. We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy during this period.”

Hannah’s disappearance has received a lot of attention from the media, but also on TikTok. She went missing while traveling from her home in Hawaii to New York, where she was supposed to visit her aunt. Hannah failed to board her connecting flight to New York City at LAX on November 8, but surveillance cameras caught her leaving the airport and riding the subway into downtown Los Angeles (via The everyday beast).

Over the next few days, Hannah was seen at a Los Angeles mall reportedly sending Venmo payments to two unknown people. The last day anyone heard from Hannah was November 11. Her mother texted her to ask if she had arrived in New York, and Hannah said no. Hannah also sent messages to friends saying she didn’t feel safe and thought someone was trying to steal her identity.

“Deep Hackers erased my identity, stole all my money and have been making me think since Friday,” she texted a friend. In another message she said: ‘I was so deceived that I gave away all my money. From someone I thought I loved.” According to friends and family, the language in the text messages did not sound like Hannah.

Call 988 in the US to get the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Trevor Projectwhich provides suicide prevention support and resources to LGBTQ youth, is 1-866-488-7386. Find other international suicide hotlines on Befrienders Worldwide (friendsers.org).