Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi’s disappearance takes a twist as mystery man shares final encounter

The man who spent time with Kobayashi before her disappearance shares details about their last conversation.

The mystery man who spent time with 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi shortly before she disappeared has come forward, shedding new light on the puzzling case.

Kobayashi vanished from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 8 after missing a connecting flight from her home in Maui to New York. Days later, she was seen on surveillance footage crossing into Tijuana on foot.

In a statement to law enforcement, the man described Kobayashi as a "free spirit" and recounted how their paths crossed at LAX. 

“She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life, and so forth. And he just listened to her,” Detective Omar Franco told People.

The man explained that they met at LAX’s train stop, where Kobayashi asked for directions to Union Station. They then wandered through downtown Los Angeles, sharing a meal and falling asleep in the station’s waiting area before she left early the next morning.

Investigators revealed that Kobayashi "knowingly departed" the airport and later used her passport and cash to buy a bus ticket to the US-Mexico border. 

Her voluntary departure has led authorities to label her as a "voluntarily missing person," effectively closing their case.

However, Kobayashi’s family disputes this conclusion, insisting her actions are out of character. Her sister, Sydni, expressed frustration over internal family conflicts: “It’s really unfortunate when you have to question family. The fact that she has gone rogue and wants to disconnect from [our effort], that’s on her.”

Friction among relatives intensified when Kobayashi’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, announced her split from the family’s search efforts after disagreements over GoFundMe funds. 

She stated, “I am preparing to travel to Mexico personally to further the efforts to locate her and verify that she is acting of her own free will and is truly safe.”

The family remains steadfast in their pursuit of answers. “We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannah's safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions,” they said in a statement.

Adding to the mystery, Kobayashi sent peculiar text messages before her disappearance. In one, she claimed she had a “spiritual awakening.” In another, she alleged, “Deep hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday.”

Further complicating the case, Kobayashi reportedly made two cryptic Venmo payments to unknown recipients with vague descriptions.

Sources now suggest that Kobayashi may have been scammed as part of a green card visa scheme. 

Documents uncovered by her mother allegedly linked her to a fraudulent marriage arrangement, a lead currently under investigation.

As the search for Hannah Kobayashi continues, her family hopes for resolution and encourages the public to avoid jumping to conclusions.