Hannah Kobayashi breaks silence following return to the US from Mexico after going missing for over a month
Hannah Kobayashi has issued a public statement for the first time since she disappeared in Mexico, admitting she was 'unaware' of all the media coverage surrounding her disappearance.
The aspiring photographer, 31, from Hawaii went missing last month after failing to board her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport to New York.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, 58, who travelled to LA to look for her, took his own life after his body was found at the bottom of a car park at LAX airport on 24 November.
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After various sightings and cryptic messages, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that Hannah crossed the US/Mexico border on 12 November.
The LAPD said Hannah went missing 'voluntarily' and that 'speculation about potential involvement in human trafficking or foul play' was false.
Last week, her family said Hannah had been found safe and sound, but are yet to see her in person.
"At this time, my mother and I have not physically seen Hannah," her sister Sydni Kobayashi claimed.
"We do not have actual proof of where she is, other than that she is somewhere in Mexico."
Now, US news outlet PEOPLE has received a statement from Hannah via her aunt Larie Pidgeon.
"At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States," it read.
"My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.
"I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all.
"I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding."
Sydni, who recently spoke to Hannah on the phone, said that 'the past 31 days have been absolute hell for us'.
"I feel they will continue to be for a while, even as we try to transition back to some semblance of normalcy," she added.
"As you can imagine, we are all extremely relieved and glad that my sister is alive and seemingly okay, but we also have mixed and overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal.
"We are kindly asking the public to respect our privacy and offer us grace for a moment as we are still grieving.
"There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated."
As far as the LAPD are concerned, Hannah's case is now closed, after she 'presented herself for entry into the US' to Customs and Border Protection.
Hannah Kobayashi's disappearance timeline
8 Nov: Kobayashi misses her flight and a search begins
Kobayashi's family say they received texts claiming someone was trying to steal her identity and having grew concerned, they reported her missing.
A widespread search was sparked for the aspiring photographer, with Kobayashi's father Ryan Kobayashi flying from Maui to LA and multiple alleged sightings reported.
During their investigation, police dismissed speculation Kobayashi was involved in any type of criminal activity.
24 Nov: Ryan Kobayashi dies
Kobayashi's father Ryan was tragically found dead at 4.00am in a car park near the airport in what is believed to be a suicide.
A family statement at the time said: "The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family's suffering immeasurably.
"What the family needs most in this difficult time is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion, and prayers. Please be considerate with your comments and posts. The trauma they are enduring is profound, and they now face the additional burden of grieving the loss of their family's pillar and navigating next steps."
26 Nov: Police have major breakthrough
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announced during a Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners meeting that officials believed Kobayashi missed her flight on purpose and had gone missing voluntarily.
The family disputed the claims made by authorities.
2 Dec: The case is re-classified
A few days later, the case is officially re-classified, with Hannah now considered a voluntary missing person after being spotted crossing the border into Mexico.
11 Dec: Kobayashi found 'safe'
An update was finally provided on the case as Kobayashi was found 'safe and well' in Mexico.
"We are incredibly relieved and grateful Hannah has been found safe," a family statement shared with the Mail Online stated.
15 Dec: Kobayashi returns to the US
Doug Oldfield of the LA Police Department’s missing persons unit confirms that Kobayashi had crossed the border back into the US on 15 December and that her case is now closed.
Revealing she was 'unaware' of the media coverage surrounding her disappearance, Kobayashi says her 'focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity'.
Topics: US News, World News
Anish Vij