Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, who had been missing since early November, has been found safe and sound after weeks of uncertainty. The disappearance of the woman triggered a high-profile investigation and national interest, as her family anxiously awaited news about her whereabouts.
A statement released by the lawyer confirmed that Hannah has reconnected with her loved ones, bringing an end to the harrowing ordeal. The statement from attorney Sara Azari, appearing on X, expressed just how relieved and grateful they were, a month on.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe,” read the statement. “This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through.”
The statement, signed by her mother Brandi Yee and sister Sydni Kobayashi, also thanked supporters for their outpouring of concern during the difficult time. “Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us,” they added.
Tragedy Strikes During Search
While the news of Hannah’s safe return is a cause for relief, the search was marred by a devastating loss. Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, has just committed suicide after searching his daughter for 13 horrible days in California. Uncertainty over what may or may not happen to him is a factor added into his grief that the whole family will now bear deep within their psyches. The family has requested everyone to respect their privacy amidst this complex mixture of feelings they are being thrust with by these developments.
The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi is no less troubling than the facts. The 31-year-old woman failed to board a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City on November 8, 2024. No one heard from her for several days, and the family became alarmed. The family filed a missing persons report on November 11, and police in Los Angeles began investigating and searching for her.
There were no significant leads until three weeks later when a revelation took the whole investigation in an entirely different direction. The authorities declared that Hannah had voluntarily left the country, crossing into Mexico on foot. Video evidence appeared where she was unharmed and alone. Police started to classify her as a “voluntary missing person,” a status that made a lot of difference.
Allegations Of Scam
For days after Hannah’s disappearance, allegations started coming in that increased the depth of the story. Hannah’s mother disclosed that she had discovered proofs that showed her daughter was conned out of her money by her ex-boyfriend. The family insisted that the money was, in fact, earned as part of a fraudulent scheme for a green-card marriage that Hannah was unwittingly involved in.
The family’s attorney released a statement to refute these claims, saying that the documents that were allegedly about the marriage were unverified. The evidence was turned over to the authorities for further investigation. Details of this scam may help explain a cryptic text message Hannah sent to a friend just before she disappeared. In the text, she wrote, “I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds … For someone I thought I loved.”
ALSO READ | Donald Trump Earns Time’s ‘Person Of The Year’ Honor For Second Time: Reports
