Police say woman who went missing from airport is now in Mexico as they release huge update
The Los Angeles Police Department has provided a big update on the Hawaii woman who went missing from an airport last month.
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was reported missing after arriving at Los Angeles Airport from Maui on Nov 8, and failing to board her connecting flight to New York.
Her father Ryan Kobayashi, 58, who travelled to Los Angeles to look for her, was found dead last Sunday (24 November).
His body was found at the bottom of a car park at LAX airport.
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Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said the manner of his death was suicide.
The photographer was travelling on the same flight as her ex-boyfriend, who purchased the tickets before they broke up.
He has been cooperating with police after receiving cryptic text messages from her phone about a 'spiritual awakening'.
The last Hannah was seen was via CCTV at LAX airport.
However, the LAPD last night (2 December) shared an update on the missing woman, who was last seen crossing the Mexico border.
"We reviewed video surveillance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said during a news conference.
"She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed.
"Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi's safety and well-being.
"We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the US Embassy to let us know she is safe.
"She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel.
"A simple message could reassure those who care about her."
This comes after family members and friends received cryptic text messages, that 'didn't sound like Hannah'.
One message read: "I got hacked, stripped of my identity, I can't fly."
Another: "I got tricked pretty much into giving away my funds for someone I thought I loved. I've been on the streets.
"Over the past several weeks, the MPU has been investigating the report of Kobayashi, who traveled on a pre scheduled flight to Los Angeles from Maui on 8 November, 2024," the force added.
"From 8 November to the 11th video footage and still imagery showed Hannah at various locations around Los Angeles.
"This information was subsequently verified by LAPD detectives.
"For unknown reasons, she decided not to board her pre scheduled flight to New York. While she did check her bag through to New York, she requested her bag be sent back to her at LAX where we have surveillance footage of her retrieving it from the baggage carrousel on 11 November.
"The investigation further revealed that Kobayashi knowingly departed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on 11 November, 2024, with her luggage and traveled to Union Station.
"While at Union Station, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination near the Mexico border. On the morning of 12 November, 2024, she traveled by bus from Union Station to San Ysidro, California.
"Shortly after arriving in San Ysidro, she crossed the border into Mexico."
Topics: US News, World News, Mental Health
Anish Vij