Official announcements from law enforcement or confirmed news reports

Missing Maui Woman, 30-Year-Old Hannah Kobayashi, Voluntarily Crossed into Mexico, LAPD Says; Family Disputes Finding

Dec 3, 2024, 03:05 AM

Los Angeles police announced that missing Maui resident, 30-year-old photographer Hannah Kobayashi, voluntarily crossed the U.S.-Mexico border after failing to board her connecting flight to New York City on November 8. Kobayashi was last seen at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on November 11, several days after missing her flight to visit her aunt. Surveillance footage shows her picking up her bags at LAX and later crossing into Mexico near Tijuana around November 12, walking alone with her luggage and appearing unharmed. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated that there is no evidence of foul play or human trafficking and classified her as a "voluntary missing person." Kobayashi had expressed a desire to "step away from modern connectivity" and disconnect from her phone, according to the investigation. However, her family strongly disputes the police's conclusions, continues to search for her, and urges her to contact them.