Father of Missing Hawaiian Woman Hannah Kobayashi found dead in Los Angeles
Ryan Kobayashi, father of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, was found dead in Los Angeles on November 24, 2024 in an apparent suicide. His death heightened public interest and concern over the mysterious disappearance of his daughter Hannah, who disappeared in early November after a stay at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This tragedy heightens the anxiety of the Kobayashi family, who have been actively searching for Hannah and raising awareness of her case.
A father's relentless search for his daughter
Ryan Kobayashi flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii shortly after his 30-year-old daughter was reported missing. Hannah, an aspiring photographer, traveled from Maui to New York for professional opportunities. However, after landing in Los Angeles on November 8, she failed to board the connecting flight. Her last known communication was on November 11, when she sent alarming messages to her family, saying she felt scared and believed someone was trying to steal her money and identity.
These reports caused immediate concern. Her family described them as out of character for Hannah, further raising concerns for her welfare. Surveillance footage from downtown Los Angeles reportedly captured Hannah with an unidentified person shortly before her phone lost signal. No contact or sightings have been confirmed since then.
Ryan was deeply involved in the search for Hannah, distributing flyers, contacting law enforcement and maintaining public awareness. His presence in Los Angeles was a beacon of hope for his family, friends and community, who rallied to bring Hannah home.
Hannah's Disappearance: A Timeline of Key Events
November 8, 2024: Hannah travels from Maui to New York with a stopover in Los Angeles.
November 9, 2024: She failed to board a connecting flight to New York, prompting initial concerns.
November 11, 2024: Family members receive a series of unusual and disturbing text messages from Hannah that suggest she is in danger.
November 13, 2024: Surveillance footage reportedly shows Hannah in downtown Los Angeles looking disoriented and accompanied by an unknown person.
November 24, 2024: Ryan Kobayashi's body is discovered in Los Angeles, devastating his family and the search community.
A bereaved family's plea for answers
The Kobayashi family has been vocal about their struggles and their determination to find Hannah. Ryan's sister, Larie Pidgeon, served as a spokesperson and frequently updated the public through social media and news outlets. She described the search as emotionally and physically exhausting, a sentiment echoed by other family members.
Ryan's death has added to the family's anxiety as they mourn his loss and continue to search for Hannah. "Ryan was the glue that held us together," Larie said in a recent interview. “He loved his daughter fiercely and would stop at nothing to bring her back.
Community efforts and public involvement
Hannah's case has attracted significant public attention through social media campaigns and fundraising to support the family. Flyers with Hannah's photo and description were distributed around Los Angeles, and a GoFundMe campaign raised money to cover travel, lodging and search expenses.
Volunteers joined the search and combed the areas where Hannah was last seen. Some people claim to have seen her or a similar person in Los Angeles, but these leads remain unconfirmed.
