Hawaii Woman Missing After Last Seen in Los Angeles with Stranger

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) is continuing the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a resident of Hawaii, who went missing after being last seen with an unknown individual in Los Angeles. Kobayashi, 30, was reported missing on November 11, after failing to make her connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to New York City.

Family members have expressed their deep concern after surveillance footage from November 11 showed her in the downtown area of Los Angeles with a stranger. Relatives reported that in the footage, which has not been made public, Kobayashi appeared to be unwell.

In a statement to local news outlets, Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi’s aunt, confirmed, «It has been confirmed that she did leave the airport on 11/11 in the evening and that she boarded the Metro. She was not alone. She was with an unidentified person.» Pidgeon added that they were unaware of her acquaintance with anyone in Los Angeles. «She knows no one in L.A. Our entire family knows no one in L.A.»

Prior to her disappearance, Kobayashi had communicated with her mother, Brandi Yee, who mentioned a strange interaction when Kobayashi did not arrive in New York as expected. «I reached out to her and I’m like, ‘Hey, are you in New York yet?’ And she’s like, ‘Not yet.’ And it was weird because the flight that she was supposed to go on had already flown,» Yee shared.

Kobayashi was reportedly traveling to New York for a concert, a photography assignment, and to visit family. However, in messages to her family while she was in Los Angeles, Kobayashi mentioned feeling scared and believed someone might be attempting to steal her money and identity.

Her sister, Sydni, has since launched a fundraising campaign to aid in the search for Kobayashi, which has raised nearly $14,000 as of November 20.

LAPD has issued a statement confirming the investigation is ongoing, and a missing persons report has been filed. Currently, there is no additional information available to the public.

Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, also made an emotional plea, saying, «Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out — anything.»