This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Maui resident Hannah Kobayashi flew from Hawaii to Los Angeles for a brief layover on the way to visit her aunt in New York City on Nov. 8. She hasn’t been seen since.
The time since has been anything but ordinary, with a massive search and the unexpected death of Hannah’s father.
New developments in recent days have been scarce, so where do things stand with the case as of Saturday? Here is a look at a timeline of events:
Friday, Nov. 8
Kobayashi, 30, boarded a flight from Maui to New York City, with a layover at Los Angeles International Airport. The tickets were purchased with her ex-boyfriend before they broke up, the Los Angeles Times reported, but they each decided to go on the trip anyway because the tickets were non-refundable.
They planned to part ways after landing in New York, the Times reported.
Kobayashi never got on that connecting flight, scheduled to take off at 11 p.m., however.
Saturday, Nov. 9 and Sunday, Nov. 10
Kobayashi, after missing her flight, was spotted at The Grove on Saturday and Sunday, according to family members. After attending a LeBron James event at the shopping center’s Nike store on Sunday, her phone was tracked back to LAX.
She texted family members that day, saying she was scared and she was frustrated after missing her flight.
“She mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” her aunt, Larie Pidgeon said. “Strange, cryptic messages – things about the matrix, it was so unlike her. And then all of a sudden, no more communication.”
She was last seen at the Pico Metro Station near Crypto.com Arena around 10 p.m. on Nov. 11 with an unknown person.
As the search for Kobayashi heated up, police described her as 5’10” tall and about 140 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes, and fair skin with freckles.
Sunday, Nov. 24
The search for Kobayashi continued as family members traveled to L.A. to assist with the search and stated publicly that they believed she may have been harmed by another person.
On Nov. 24, the story took another tragic turn. Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX, where the search was centered.
The LAPD said he died by suicide.
Ryan spoke with Nexstar’s KTLA just days before his death in hopes of reaching his daughter.
“I miss her,” he said. “Just want her to know that, and just want her to reach out – anything.”
Tuesday, Nov. 26
On Tuesday, according to reporting from USA Today, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said the department determined Hannah Kobayashi intentionally missed her flight to New York.
“Our hearts go out to the Kobayashi family during this unimaginable time of grief,” McDonnell said in a Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners meeting. “We remain fully committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate their way through this tragedy.”
Saturday, Nov. 30
Hannah’s sister, Sydni Kobayashi, and mother released a statement on Facebook Saturday night, claiming investigators have reported inaccurate information on the case while also alleging a lack of communication between the police department and the family on new developments.
“We are doing everything in our power to locate Hannah. Based on information, surveillance footage reviewed and information shared with us, these are the facts known to my mother and I:
- It does not appear that Hannah intentionally missed her flight.
- My mother and I were unaware about the alleged findings presented at the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting until multiple videos of the meeting were sent to us by multiple citizens.
- These alleged findings have yet to be relayed to my mother and I directly from the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department or any detective involved in Hannah’s case.
- My mother and I would later learn that the police commission is a five-member committee made up of five civilians, not law enforcement, who are not directly involved in Hannah’s missing persons case.
- Specific facts contained in that report were inaccurate, such as Hannah’s age. Hannah is 30 years old, not 23. Also, Hannah was reported missing to Law Enforcement on November 11th, not November 13th, as stated by the chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
The lack of communication surrounding some important details has left us feeling excluded from potentially crucial developments. However, we do remain hopeful and optimistic that the Los Angeles Police Department is doing everything in their power to assist us in locating Hannah.
We are devastated by Hannah’s disappearance and now my father Ryan’s passing. It is completely out of character for Hannah to simply disappear without a trace. We remain deeply concerned about Hannah’s safety, her well-being and her current state of mind.
Hannah, if you happen to see this, know that we are not going to give up or stop searching until we find you. We know that this is something you would never do on your own accord, unless you felt some type of threat or you were unwell. We know how much you love all of us, and we love you deeply.
While we will continue our search for Hannah widely, we will be focusing on the Southern California area, specifically all regions of Los Angeles, Long Beach, and all regions of San Diego.
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who continues to hold our family in their prayers and to those positively contributing to our search efforts.
KTLA reached out to LAPD for an update on Saturday but did not immediately hear back.