LOS ANGELES, CA – Hannah Kobayashi, the Maui woman who voluntarily disappeared in Los Angeles before crossing into Mexico last month, has informed her family that she has no intention of returning to Hawaii, her sister revealed in a statement on Thursday.
Sydni Kobayashi shared the update in a Facebook post, describing the family’s mixed emotions after confirming Hannah’s safety.
“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,” Sydni wrote. “We are kindly asking the public to respect our privacy and offer us grace for a moment as we are still grieving. There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated.”
Hannah Kobayashi, an aspiring photographer from Maui, had been traveling to New York City on November 8 but missed a connecting flight in Los Angeles. She told her family she was sleeping at the airport and later said she was sightseeing in the city. Concerns grew after the family received cryptic and alarming text messages, prompting them to report her missing on November 11.
Her disappearance triggered a large-scale search in Los Angeles involving family members, friends, and volunteers. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, traveled from Hawaii to assist in the effort but tragically died by suicide on November 24 near Los Angeles International Airport.
In early December, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that surveillance evidence showed Hannah crossing into Mexico voluntarily. She was later confirmed to be safe in Mexico.
In her Facebook post, Sydni said the family had spoken to Hannah over the phone and learned she was staying with their aunt, Larie Pidgeon. “At this time, she does not wish to return to us,” Sydni wrote, adding that she no longer considers Pidgeon “family.”
The statement hinted at tension between the family and Pidgeon, who had previously criticized the family’s decision to hire an attorney. Pidgeon, speaking in a separate interview, alleged that the rift stemmed from differing approaches to handling the search.
Sydni also addressed concerns raised about funds donated to the search and funeral expenses for her father, stating that all contributions were collected in good faith. She announced that donors who wished to be refunded could request a refund through the GoFundMe platform.
“In due time, the truth will surface, and we will all get the answers we truly deserve,” she wrote. “I stand by the choices I’ve made for my family, and we know where our hearts lie in this.”
This tumultuous chapter in the Kobayashi family’s life has left lingering questions about the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s disappearance and her decision to remain in Mexico.
For those experiencing mental health challenges or thoughts of suicide, resources are available. In the United States, individuals can call the nationwide crisis hotline by dialing 988.
