The family of Hannah Kobayashi, a 31-year-old woman from Maui, fears she may have been abducted after alarming evidence emerged in her disappearance.
Kobayashi was traveling to New York via Los Angeles on November 8 to visit her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, but never boarded her connecting flight and hasn’t contacted her family in over a week—an unusual behavior for her.
“We fear that someone has taken her,” Pidgeon told ABC News. “We’re trying to stay positive and keep our spirits up, but we can’t share too much to avoid hindering the investigation.”
Described as a free spirit by her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, Hannah was also known for being grounded and responsible. “She’s independent and loves to travel, but she wouldn’t intentionally leave us worried like this,” Sydni said.
A Series of Alarming Events
After missing her connecting flight, Hannah reportedly left LAX and headed to downtown Los Angeles. She was seen at a bookstore at The Grove on November 9 and later appeared in a YouTube video at a Nike event the following day. Her last Instagram post, shared from the Nike event, showed her in seemingly good spirits
However, on November 11, her family began receiving concerning messages. She texted her mother, Brandi Yee, saying she hadn’t yet made it to New York. Other texts included unsettling claims about being scammed, her identity being stolen, and feeling scared.
One message stated, “Deep hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday.” Another read, “I got tricked pretty much into giving away all my funds … for someone I thought I loved.”
The family also noticed messages that didn’t match her usual style, including the use of the word “hun,” which her sister said Hannah never used.
CCTV Footage Raises Concerns
On November 11, security footage captured Hannah in downtown Los Angeles near Pico Station and Crypto Arena, about 20 miles from the airport. Family members described her as appearing unwell and accompanied by someone.
The RAD Movement, a nonprofit aiding in the search, stated, “There is more information known than can be shared due to the investigation.” The group highlighted areas like downtown LA, Skid Row, and Compton as critical to the search.
Family Pleads for Help
Hannah’s family has been working tirelessly to trace her steps. They’ve filed a missing persons report with the LAPD and involved the FBI to expedite subpoenas for surveillance footage, phone logs, and financial records.
Her phone has been off since November 11, with the last known location pinging at LAX. “We share locations, so we know her phone’s off because it goes straight to voicemail,” Sydni explained.
Adding to the mystery, Hannah’s ex-boyfriend was on the same flight from Maui to LAX. Though they didn’t interact during the flight, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, stated that her ex has been cooperative and continued on to New York as planned.
The family has urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“We’re just trying to get as much information as we can,” her father said. “It’s a blur—we’re worried, confused, and desperate to bring her home safely.”
-If you have any information about Hannah Kobayashi’s disappearance or have seen her in the Los Angeles area, please contact authorities immediately. Share this post to help raise awareness and bring her home safely."
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