Hannah Kobayashi, a Hawaiian photographer who went missing over a month ago, has returned to the United States from Mexico. The 30-year-old had been the focus of a national missing persons case after she vanished during a layover at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8. Security footage showed her leaving the airport before it was later confirmed by the LAPD that she had crossed the border into Mexico voluntarily, prompting them to classify her as a “voluntary missing person” and end their search.
Her return comes after a devastating development in the case—her father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically died by suicide while searching for her in Los Angeles. According to reports from TMZ, Hannah appeared to be in good health and was not under duress when she re-entered the U.S. over the weekend. Her lawyer was present to meet her, but details about her time in Mexico remain scarce.
Hannah’s sister, Sydni Kobayashi, had previously shared that their family had limited contact with her during her time abroad. Although relieved that she is safe, Sydni expressed a mix of emotions, including devastation and exhaustion, while asking for privacy as the family grieves and processes the events. Her statement highlighted the complexity of the situation, saying, “There is still so much unknown, and so much that still needs to be navigated.”
The Kobayashi family has described the past month as an ordeal and is now focused on transitioning back to normalcy while addressing the lingering uncertainties about Hannah’s disappearance and return.
