Disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi
 | This article reads like a press release or a news article and may be largely based on routine coverage. (November 2024) |
Hannah Kobayashi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi December 24, 1993 |
| Disappeared | November 8, 2024 (aged 30) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Status | Found |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Father | Ryan Kobayashi |
On November 8, 2024, Hannah Kobayashi went missing after leaving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). She arrived at LAX on November 8 as a layover on a trip from Maui, Hawaii to New York City. For unknown reasons, she did not board her connecting flight and left the airport.[1][2]
On November 11 – the last day anyone heard from Kobayashi – her mother texted her, asking whether she made it to New York. Kobayashi responded in the negative. Kobayashi’s sister told the media that her sister’s friend has reached out to the family about “strange” text messages Kobayashi reportedly sent. Kobayashi allegedly texted her friend about her ID being stolen and expressed concern that someone "she thought she loved" was trying to take her money.[3]
On November 11, she was seen in surveillance footage with an unknown individual at a downtown Los Angeles Metro Rail station.[4][5]
On November 24, 2024, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to Los Angeles to assist in the search for his daughter, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX. He is believed to have died by suicide.[3][6][7]
On December 2, 2024, video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry showed Kobayashi crossing the US border into Tijuana, Mexico, on foot. She was alone, with her luggage, and appeared unharmed, upon which the LAPD declared her a "voluntary missing person". Earlier, Kobayashi had expressed a desire to disconnect from modern technology. The LAPD observed she had "a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices".[8][9]
In December 2024, it has been revealed that Hannah Kobayashi is suspected to have been involved in a green card marriage scam. It is believed that she married an Argentinian man, Alan Cacace, to help him obtain a green card in the United States, as part of a scheme orchestrated by her former partner. Documents discovered by Kobayashi's mother at her daughter's home in Hawaii included immigration paperwork and contacts with an immigration attorney, which were subsequently turned over to the FBI and LAPD for investigation. Kobayashi's family continues to seek clarity on her situation, while authorities are investigating the details of the alleged marriage scam.[10][11][12][13]
On December 11, the LAPD reported she was found alive.[14] On December 16, 2024, Kobayashi safely returned to the US on her own. [15]
References
[edit]- ^ Alvarado, Michelle Watson, Caroll (November 26, 2024). "What we know about missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi and the death of her father". CNN. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "What to Know About Hannah Kobayashi, Who Was Reported Missing in California". New York Times.
- ^ a b "Dad who flew to LAX to find missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi dies by suicide near airport". Los Angeles Times. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Alvarado, Caroll; Watson, Michelle; Prieto, Maria Aguilar; Boyette, Chris (November 19, 2024). "Hannah Kobayashi: Family hasn't heard from Hawaii woman in over a week and now fears she may have been abducted". CNN. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Lin, Summer (November 18, 2024). "Woman sends cryptic message, misses flight from LAX then disappears, family says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Hannah Kobayashi: Father of missing Hawaii woman found dead in Los Angeles, LAPD says". KABC Television (abc7.com). KABC Television, LLC. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ Nowell, Cecilia (November 25, 2024). "Father of missing Hawaii woman found dead in Los Angeles, police say". The Guardian (amp.theguardian.com). Hawaii. Retrieved November 26, 2024.
- ^ "Missing woman Hannah Kobayashi crossed border into Mexico voluntarily, LAPD says". ABC7 Los Angeles. December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ Hannah Kobayashi declared a voluntary missing person after video shows her crossing into Mexico, police say, CNN, 3 December 2024. Accessed on 4 December 2024.
- ^ "Missing Hannah Kobayashi linked to 'green card scam marriage'". LBC. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Investigators Want to Know if Hannah Kobayashi is Involved in Green Card Marriage Scam". Yahoo News. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ A. O. L. Staff (December 5, 2024). "FBI Investigates Hannah Kobayashi's "Green Card Marriage Scam" After New Evidence Is Found". www.aol.com. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ "Hannah Kobayashi's Family Is 'Actively Investigating' Claim She Was Secretly Married Before She Went Off the Grid". People.com.
- ^ "Hannah Kobayashi: Hawaii woman found safe month after missing flight". BBC News. December 11, 2024.
- ^ "Hannah Kobayashi safely returns to US, family says".ABC7 Los Angeles website, Dec 16, 2024