December 18, 2024

Hannah Kobayashi issues statement following missing person case

Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii A woman who was reported missing last month and later discovered to have crossed the U.S.-Mexico border into Tijuana broke her silence Monday in a statement.

In a statement sent from Kobayashi’s aunt’s phone, the 30-year-old said she returned to the United States on Sunday and is now prioritizing her well-being following a series of events that included a week-long search effort for her and the death of his father in the middle of the search.

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The following is Kobayashi’s full statement:

Hawaii

December 12

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Los Angeles

December 11

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At dawn on December 15, I crossed the border back into the United States.
My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.
I wasn’t aware of everything that was going on in the media while I was away and I’m still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family and my loved ones as I go through this difficult time. Thank you for your understanding.

Hanna Kobayashi

The Los Angeles police announced Monday that missing person case closed for Kobayashi after Customs and Border Protection notified the department that the woman re-entered the U.S. and appeared to be in good health.

Kobayashi was reported missing on Nov. 11, three days after she landed at Los Angeles International Airport from Hawaii and missed her connecting flight to New York. After video captured the woman voluntarily crossing the border into Mexico on Nov. 12, the LAPD classified her case as a voluntary missing person case.

After receiving hundreds of donations for the search for Hannah Kobayash, her family announced that they will accept any claims for reimbursement following her appearance.

“To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of a criminal act,” Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said at a Dec. 2 press conference. when police initially announced that Kobayashi’s case had been changed to voluntary disappearance. person case.

At that same press conference, police said Kobayashi did not have his phone after leaving LAX and found social media posts indicating he wanted to “disconnect from modern connectivity.”