The father of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old woman from Hawaii who went missing in Los Angeles, has been found deceased in a parking lot near the city’s airport. Ryan Kobayashi was discovered by patrol officers responding to a call for a death investigation at 4 a.m. on Sunday, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department.
The official cause and manner of Ryan Kobayashi’s death have not been released by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. However, a statement posted on Facebook by a group searching for Hannah Kobayashi indicated that he died by suicide. This tragic news has added to the family’s already immense suffering, as they continue to search for Hannah, who is still missing and believed to be in danger.
Ryan Kobayashi, 58, had been actively involved in the search for his daughter, distributing flyers and speaking to the media about her disappearance. He expressed hope for her safety and well-being in previous interviews, emphasizing the importance of any assistance from the public in locating her.
Hannah Kobayashi was last heard from on November 8 after leaving the Los Angeles International Airport during a layover on her way from Maui to New York City with her ex-boyfriend. Despite purchasing nonrefundable tickets together before their breakup, her ex-boyfriend completed the journey to New York and has been cooperating with the investigation.
Following her disappearance, Hannah’s Instagram account was updated with a photo from The Grove shopping center in LA, without a caption. Her family also received a concerning message from her phone number regarding potential theft of her money and identity. Surveillance footage showed her near a downtown Metro train station on November 11, accompanied by an unknown individual.
The search for Hannah Kobayashi continues, with her family urging the public to remain vigilant and provide any information that may help locate her. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain unclear, and the authorities are working diligently to uncover any leads that could lead to her safe return.
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health support, please call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Local mental health and crisis resources can also be found at dontcallthepolice.com. For international assistance, please contact the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
