- Source: Disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi
On November 8, 2024, Hannah Kobayashi went missing after leaving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). She arrived at LAX on November 8 as a layover on a trip from Maui, Hawaii to New York City. For unknown reasons, she did not board her connecting flight and left the airport.
On November 11 – the last day anyone heard from Kobayashi – her mother texted her, asking whether she made it to New York. Kobayashi responded in the negative. Kobayashi’s sister told the media that her sister’s friend has reached out to the family about “strange” text messages Kobayashi reportedly sent. Kobayashi allegedly texted her friend about her ID being stolen and expressed concern that someone "she thought she loved" was trying to take her money.
On November 11, she was seen in surveillance footage with an unknown individual at a downtown Los Angeles Metro Rail station.
On November 24, 2024, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to Los Angeles to assist in the search for his daughter, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX. He is believed to have died by suicide.
On December 2, 2024 video surveillance from US Customs and Border Protection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry showed Kobayashi crossing the US border into Tijuana, Mexico, on foot. She was alone, with her luggage, and appeared unharmed, upon which the LAPD declared her a "voluntary missing person". Earlier, Kobayashi had expressed a desire to disconnect from modern technology. The LAPD observed she had "a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices".
In December 2024 it has been revealed that Hannah Kobayashi is suspected to have been involved in a green card marriage scam. It is believed that she married an Argentinian man, Alan Cacace, to help him obtain a green card in the United States, as part of a scheme orchestrated by her former partner. Documents discovered by Kobayashi's mother at her daughter's home in Hawaii included immigration paperwork and contacts with an immigration attorney, which were subsequently turned over to the FBI and LAPD for investigation. Kobayashi's family continues to seek clarity on her situation, while authorities are investigating the details of the alleged marriage scam.
On December 11, LAPD reported she was found alive.
On Dec 16, 2024, Hannah Kobayashi safely returned to US on her own.