Hawaii woman still missing in LA while father is found dead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Volunteers have joined a search in Los Angeles for Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who went missing more than two weeks ago after failing to catch a connecting flight to New York.

Kobayashi’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had been part of the search, was found dead Sunday in a parking lot near LA International Airport of an apparent suicide, police and her family said.

Here are the latest developments in the case:

What happened?

Hannah Kobayashi, an aspiring photographer from Maui, was heading to New York City on November 8 for a new job and to visit family. During a layover at Los Angeles International Airport, she missed her connecting flight and told her family she would sleep at the airport that night.

According to her aunt Larie Pidgeon, relatives assumed she was on standby for a new flight. The next day, Hannah texted them to say she was sightseeing in Los Angeles and planned to visit The Grove mall and downtown LA, Pidgeon said.

On Nov. 11, the family received “strange and cryptic, downright alarming” text messages from her phone saying she had been “intercepted” while boarding a subway car and was afraid someone would steal her identity, her aunt said.

“Once the family started pushing, it got dark,” Pidgeon told The Associated Press on Saturday. After the texts on Nov. 11, her phone “just went dead,” Pidgeon said.

Pidgeon would not elaborate further on the texts or describe the surveillance footage of Hannah that she said is under investigation by police, citing the ongoing investigation.

What do the authorities say?

The Los Angeles Police Department said it is investigating, but officials have not released many details.

The family came from Hawaii and held a news conference last week, after which “it appears the LAPD is finally taking the case seriously,” Pidgeon said. Detectives told the family they are retracing Hannah’s steps and requesting additional surveillance footage, the aunt said.

Police officials did not immediately respond Monday to emails and voicemails seeking further details.

What’s going on with the search?

Family members and friends are searching for Hannah in Los Angeles, and this weekend they were joined by local volunteers.

Pidgeon said efforts were focused on the downtown area. Searchers have also spread out around the airport and The Grove, a few miles west of downtown.

“It’s completely out of character for her” not to have contact with loved ones, Pidgeon said of Hannah.

What happened to her father?

Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was among those flown from Hawaii to assist in the search. He was found dead early Sunday in a parking lot near LA International Airport, according to the county medical examiner.

According to police, officers responded to reports of a body around 4 a.m. and discovered someone was dead.
Kobayashi’s family confirmed Ryan’s death in a statement Sunday, saying they “have endured a devastating tragedy” and that he committed suicide.

“After thirteen days of tireless searching throughout Los Angeles, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically committed suicide,” the statement said. “This loss has immeasurably increased the family’s suffering.”

The family asked for privacy as they grieve Ryan’s death and urged the public to “keep the focus on the search for her. 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.”

Editor’s note: This story contains a discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the US National Suicide and Crisis Hotline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.