Hawaii woman willfully crosses into Mexico, LAPD dismisses human trafficking concerns

Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Maui, has been reported as missing in Los Angeles, but authorities now believe she may have willingly traveled to Mexico in a bid to "disconnect," the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced Monday.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that detectives have reviewed video footage at the border, which "clearly" shows Kobayashi crossing into Mexico. 

As a result, the case has been reclassified as a "voluntary missing person" case. However, the LAPD will keep the investigation open until her safety is assured.

“There’s no evidence Kobayashi is the victim of human trafficking or foul play,” Chief McDonnell stated during a news conference. “She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her.”

Lt. Douglas Oldfield of the Missing Persons Unit added that Kobayashi's social media activity suggested she had a desire to disconnect from her phone and possibly from her previous life. “By looking at her past social media, we saw indications consistent with someone who wanted to disconnect,” he explained.

The case drew significant attention when NBC Los Angeles reported that family members were surprised to learn from Chief McDonnell that Kobayashi had intentionally missed a connecting flight to New York City after landing at LAX on November 8. 

Her luggage was rerouted back to Los Angeles, and she picked it up on November 11, which led to her disappearance.

Security footage showing Kobayashi with an unknown man at the airport heightened fears, especially after she sent alarming messages indicating someone was trying to steal her money and identity. 

“Hannah’s last message to us was alarming — she mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity,” her aunt Larie Pidgeon said on Facebook.

Despite these concerns, police have determined there was no wrongdoing by the man seen with her, who cooperated fully with investigators.

Tragically, on November 24, after her family organized a search effort, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead near LAX, resulting from multiple blunt force trauma injuries. 

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that Ryan Kobayashi died from these injuries, adding another layer of tragedy to the case.

“My deepest condolences to Hannah’s family,” said Chief McDonnell. “They are going through an unimaginable time, and we are here to support them in any way we can.”

As the community grapples with these developments, the LAPD urges Hannah Kobayashi to reach out to her family and authorities to reassure them of her safety.