Hannah Kobayashi: Father of missing Hawaiian woman found dead in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – This story contains a discussion of suicide. If you or a loved one is feeling sad, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 or chat with 988lifeline.org.

The father of missing Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi was found dead Los Angeles according to police on Sunday.

Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to LA to assist in the search for his daughter, was found dead in a nearby parking lot Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said. The 58-year-old’s case is listed as ‘open’ Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner listed on its website.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a call reporting a body found in the area around 4 a.m.

RELATED: Hannah Kobayashi: Family of missing Hawaiian woman continues search in LA

Although police have not released information about his cause of death, the Kobayashi family said he committed suicide.

“The Kobayashi family suffered a devastating tragedy today. After thirteen days of tireless searching throughout Los Angeles, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has immeasurably compounded the family’s suffering” , the family said in a statement. statement released through a non-profit organization assisting in the search for Hannah Kobayashi.

“Hannah is still actively missing and is believed to be in immediate danger. It is critical that everyone remains vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah,” the statement said.

Hannah Kobayashi was reported missing by her family on November 12 after missing a connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX days earlier on November 8.

Since her disappearance, the elder Kobayashi — who said he was estranged from his daughter — had spoken on behalf of his family as they pleaded with the public for help in the search.

“I wish I could have been there more for her. Trying to find her is everything,” he told FOX 11 during a rally outside the Crypto.com Arena downtown Los Angeles last week.

Security footage from Kobayashi’s family shows her leaving the airport on November 8, wearing a black hoodie, tie-dye leggings and a dark green backpack.

According to her family, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove on November 9 and 10. On the 10th, Kobayashi sent her a message Instagram a black and white photo from the two-day Nike and LeBron James event she apparently attended at the mall located about 14 miles north of the airport.

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Kobayashi returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight, the family said, citing airport officials. Kobayashi’s phone last pinged at LAX on November 11.

“It’s very unusual for her to disappear,” said Sister Sydni Kobayashi.

Concerns increased when the family said they received ‘strange’ messages from her mobile phone that ‘didn’t look like her’.

“Even in those text messages, it just didn’t seem like her or anyone else, or maybe someone did something to her to change her state of mind because she doesn’t normally speak like that,” Sydni said.

Kobayashi is described as 6 feet tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. According to the LAPD, she has freckles on her face and a tattoo of a knife on her forearm.

RELATED: Hannah Kobayashi: Search continues for missing Maui woman

If you see Kobayashi or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.