Police explain 'why woman vanished from airport' as they end search following huge new update

The Los Angeles Police Department has revealed the one condition which has stopped them from investigating a Hawaii woman who has been missing since the start of last month.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from Maui on 8 November, and was reported missing after failing to board her connecting flight to New York.

On 24 November, the body of her father Ryan Kobayashi, 58, who travelled to LA to look for her, was found at the bottom of a car park at LAX airport. His death was ruled as a suicide.

Within the first few days of her going missing, family members and friends received cryptic text messages that 'didn't sound like Hannah'.

One message read: "I got hacked, stripped of my identity, I can't fly."

Another: "I got tricked pretty much into giving away my funds for someone I thought I loved. I've been on the streets."

Police confirmed in a statement last night (2 December) that CCTV images showed that Hannah was still in LA on 8 and 11 November.

However, in a big update, the force said investigators previewed video surveillance footage, showing that Hannah crossed the US/Mexico border on 12 November.

The LAPD believe that 'Kobayashi expressed a desire to step away from modem connectivity' and that 'speculation about potential involvement in human trafficking or foul play' was false.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, has been missing since last month (Instagram)

It was also confirmed that the police department would not be investigating the case while Kobayashi is in Mexico.

"However, if Kobayashi returns to the United States, law enforcement will be notified," they added.

"She is encouraged to contact law enforcement or the U.S. Embassy in Mexico so officials can confirm her well-being.

"The missing person case will remain active in the Missing and Unidentified Persons System (MUPS) until her safety is confirmed by law enforcement."

"We reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said during a news conference.

"She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed.

"Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being.

"We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the US Embassy to let us know she is safe.

Her father Ryan Kobayashi, 58, took his own life (YouTube/Fox 11 Los Angeles)

"She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel.

"A simple message could reassure those who care about her."

"For unknown reasons, she decided not to board her pre scheduled flight to New York," the LAPD added.

"While she did check her bag through to New York, she requested her bag be sent back to her at LAX where we have surveillance footage of her retrieving it from the baggage carrousel on 11 November.

"The investigation further revealed that Kobayashi knowingly departed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on 11 November, 2024, with her luggage and traveled to Union Station.

"While at Union Station, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination near the Mexico border. On the morning of 12 November, 2024, she traveled by bus from Union Station to San Ysidro, California.

"Shortly after arriving in San Ysidro, she crossed the border into Mexico."

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