LOS ANGELES, CA – The family of a Hawaii woman who went missing during a cross-country trip is appealing for public assistance after cryptic text messages and surveillance footage added to the mystery surrounding her disappearance.
Hannah Kobayashi, a 31-year-old photographer from Oahu, Hawaii, was last seen in Los Angeles after missing a connecting flight to New York on Nov. 8, where she was scheduled to visit her aunt and attend a show. Her family is retracing her steps in hopes of finding her.
“She was thrilled about her first music photography gig in New York and had meticulously planned her trip,” said her aunt, Larie Pidgeon.
Kobayashi’s phone sent a series of uncharacteristic messages to friends and family before contact abruptly stopped on Nov. 11. In one message, she claimed she had been “tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds” and spoke of a “spiritual awakening” and concerns about “the matrix.”
“There were no emojis or her usual artistic flair in the texts,” Pidgeon said. “She’s someone who communicates with creativity and warmth, and the tone of these messages was completely out of character.”
Surveillance Footage Raises Concerns
Kobayashi was last spotted on security footage near the Pico Metro station in downtown Los Angeles, accompanied by an unidentified man.
“The area around the Pico station is notoriously unsafe, and it’s not somewhere she would typically go,” said Pidgeon. “There’s no logical reason for her to be there, especially with so many hotels near the airport.”
Family members believe the footage could be crucial to the investigation but say they have faced delays in its release.
“We’ve seen the footage, and we know it could help,” Pidgeon said. “We don’t understand why it hasn’t been made public yet.”
Last Known Movements
On Nov. 11, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove, an upscale outdoor shopping center in Los Angeles. She reportedly charged her phone with an employee and filled out an application for a book club at TASCHEN, a bookstore, using her Hawaii address. Witnesses described her as being in good spirits.
“She seemed happy and clear-headed, not under the influence of anything,” Pidgeon said.
Kobayashi’s family held a rally on Thursday at the Crypto.com Arena, distributing fliers and searching nearby neighborhoods, including Skid Row.
Described as a vibrant and creative individual, Kobayashi was deeply involved in her community, balancing a wide array of passions, including fire spinning, DJing, and charity work.
“Everyone who knows her describes her as the life of the party, a great friend, and someone who brings joy wherever she goes,” said her father, Ryan Kobayashi.
Using the hashtag #FindHannah, friends and family are sharing videos and memories in a digital campaign to raise awareness.
“We’re doing everything we can to keep her name out there,” Pidgeon said. “The longer people hear about her, the better chance we have of finding her.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the family at 845-750-3006.
