Father of Hannah Kobayashi, Hawaii woman who disappeared en route to New York, found dead

LOS ANGELES – The father of missing Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi was found dead Sunday in Los Angeles, according to police.

Hannah Kobayashi was reported missing by her family on November 12 after she missed her connecting flight from Maui to New York at LAX several days earlier on November 8.

Authorities said Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to Los Angeles to help search for his daughter, was found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport. The 58-year-old’s case is considered “open,” the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiners reported on its website.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers received a call around 4 a.m. reporting that a body had been found in the area.

Although police did not provide information on Kobayashi’s cause of death, Kobayashi’s family reported that he died by suicide.

“The Kobayashi family suffered a devastating tragedy today. After 13 days of tireless searching in Los Angeles, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has immeasurably increased the family’s suffering,” the family said in a statement published online by a nonprofit group helping in the search for Hannah Kobayashi.

“Hannah is still missing and is believed to be in immediate danger. It is very important that everyone remains vigilant in the efforts to locate Hannah,” the statement read.

Since her disappearance, the elder Kobayashi, who said he is estranged from his daughter, has spoken on behalf of his family, asking for the public’s help in the search.

“I wish I could have been more available to her. Trying to find her is everything,” he told FOX 11 last week during a rally outside the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

Surveillance footage obtained by Kobayashi’s family shows Kobayashi leaving the airport on November 8 wearing a black hoodie, tie-dye leggings and carrying a dark green backpack.

According to her family, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove on November 9 and 10. On November 10, Kobayashi posted a black-and-white photo to her Instagram from a two-day Nike and LeBron James event, which she apparently attended while shopping. center located approximately 23 km north of the airport.

According to the family, which cited airport officials, Kobayashi returned to Los Angeles on November 11 but did not board the plane. Kobayashi’s phone last rang at LAX on November 11.

“It’s very unlike her to disappear,” said sister Sydni Kobayashi.

Concerns increased when the family claimed they had received “strange” messages from her mobile phone that “didn’t sound like her”.

“Even in those text messages, it just didn’t feel like it was her or anyone else or maybe someone doing something to her to change her state of mind because that’s not what she usually talks about,” Sydni said.

According to the LAPD, Kobayashi is 5-foot-7, 140 pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. He has freckles on his face and a tattoo of a knife on his forearm.

If you see Kobayashi or have any information on her whereabouts, please contact Los Angeles Police at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

This story is about suicide. If you or a loved one is feeling distressed, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The crisis center provides free and confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.