Hannah Kobayashi, who was presumed missing in Los Angeles after missing a flight from Hawaii to New York City in November, has been found in Mexico according to a statement from her family’s lawyer. Kobayashi stopped contacting her family after sending concerning text messages, leading to a large search effort. The Los Angeles Police Department classified her as a voluntary missing person after video footage showed her crossing the U.S.-Mexico border on foot in San Ysidro. Kobayashi’s father was found dead by suicide near LAX during the search.
The family expressed gratitude for the support they received during this difficult time and requested privacy to heal. The timeline of events leading up to Kobayashi’s disappearance and subsequent finding included her being seen at LAX, a bookstore in Los Angeles, and purchasing a bus ticket to the California-Mexico border. She was later seen crossing the border alone. LAPD initially classified the case as an intentional missed flight, but later reclassified it as a voluntary missing person after reviewing the video footage.
This update brings some closure to the family after a month of uncertainty. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available by calling or texting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or chatting on their website.
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