Crossed Mexico border

Missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi crossed Mexico border, police say

By Andrew Chamings

Missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, 30, is in Mexico, authorities say. 

Kobayashi disappeared in Los Angeles on Nov. 8 after missing a connecting flight to New York. That weekend, she was caught on camera at The Grove retail complex, and reportedly sent a series of troubling text messages to her family implying that someone had stolen her identity. Kobayashi's disappearance led to widespread media coverage and an expansive volunteer search across Los Angeles. On Nov. 24, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, died by suicide while in the city.

On Sunday, Los Angeles Police Department investigators travelled to the U.S.-Mexico border where they were shown surveillance footage by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel. "The footage clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico," LAPD said in a statement sent to SFGATE. "She was alone, with her luggage."

Kobayashi intentionally decided not to board her connecting flight to New York on Nov. 8, police said. Kobayashi's family previously said Hannah was travelling to New York to attend a concert and visit family. "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 November 11th," police said. 

According to LAPD, Kobayashi then headed to Union Station, where she used her passport to buy a bus ticket to the California border and made the journey on the morning of Nov. 12. "She traveled by bus from Union Station to San Ysidro, California. Shortly after arriving in San Ysidro, she crossed the border into Mexico," police said. 

The LAPD investigation has shown no evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play, and she is not suspected of any crimes. "Kobayashi expressed a desire to step away from modern connectivity," police said.

“Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi’s safety and well-being,” Los Angeles police Chief Jim McDonnell said. “We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the US Embassy to let us know she is safe. 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.”

LAPD investigators do not plan on travelling to Mexico to find Kobayashi, though the missing persons case will remain active until her safety is confirmed by law enforcement.