Hannah Kobayashi returns to US after search that led her dad to take his life
Formerly missing woman Hannah Kobayashi has reportedly returned to the US after saying she was safe and ending a nationwide search that took a tragic turn.
The Hawaii woman’s family through a representative confirmed on Monday that she safely traveled back to America over the weekend.
Hannah returned to the country on her own, her family told KABC.
The 30-year-old woman crossed back into American soil from Mexico and was questioned by US officials to ensure her wellbeing, sources told TMZ. She ‘appeared healthy and was not under any duress’, according to the outlet, and met with her family’s lawyer and went with him into the US.
It was not clear if Hannah has reunited with her family, who on top of her monthlong disappearance have been mourning her father killing himself in the search for her.
Just a few days ago, Hannah’s sister, Sydni Kobayashi, in a lengthy Facebook post wrote that she did not want to be with the rest of the family.
‘At this time, my mother and I have not physically seen Hannah. We do not have actual proof of where she is, other than that she is somewhere in Mexico,’ wrote Sydni on Thursday.
‘We have only spoken to her over the phone, and she was allegedly found safe with Larie (a self-proclaimed social media influencer), but at this time, she does not wish to return to us.
‘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.’
Hannah flew from Maui to Los Angeles on November 8 but failed to get on her connecting flight to New York City. Three days later after receiving a series of strange messages, her family reported her missing.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew to Los Angeles and spent 13 days looking for her until he was found dead at a parking lot near the international airport. His death was ruled a suicide.
As the search continued, Los Angeles police found CCTV footage showing Hannah crossing the border into Mexico and early this month classified her as voluntary missing person.
On Wednesday, Hannah’s family announced that she had reached out to them and informed them that she was doing fine.
Her family has turned off donations and offered refunds for a GoFundMe page that had raised nearly $50,000 for her search effort, and for her dad’s funeral.
Sydni in her post on Thursday added detailed the grief that her family has endured in her absence.
‘Each day brought the unbearable uncertainty of whether my sister was alive or dead. Losing my father to suicide during this ordeal was more than my soul and heart could bear,’ Sydni wrote.
‘I am human. Despite the differences any family has — and we all do — my son, family, and I loved him immensely.’
The Los Angeles Police Department stated last week that news of Hannah’s communication with her family meant they would wrap up their investigation as ‘this has become a private matter’.
That means that any further information on the mysterious case will likely come from Hannah herself, her family or their attorney.
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