Hannah Kobayashi Declared Voluntarily Missing in Mexico

Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer, was seen in surveillance footage buying a bus ticket to the US-Mexico border on November 11, just before she voluntarily crossed into Mexico on November 12. After arriving in Los Angeles from Hawaii on November 8, she missed her connecting flight to New York and sent cryptic messages to friends about a 'spiritual awakening' and concerns over her identity being stolen. The LAPD has classified her disappearance as voluntary, citing no evidence of foul play or human trafficking, and noted her desire to disconnect from modern connectivity. Family members, however, expressed frustration over not being shown the footage and urged for continued search efforts, as they grapple with the complexities of her situation, especially following her father's tragic suicide shortly thereafter. The LAPD will not pursue further investigation in Mexico but encourages her to reach out for assistance if she returns to the U.S. Her family remains confused and concerned about her well-being.