Hannah Kobayashi crossed into Mexico alone, police say; chief urges her to message her family
LA TimesA flier with photos of Hannah Kobayashi, who went missing Nov. 8, is posted near the Metro station where she was last seen in downtown Los Angeles. “The footage clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico,” police said in a statement. Kobayashi’s family said in a statement Monday that they weren’t giving up the search for their relative and urged law enforcement and the public to “stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions.” “We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” the statement read. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely.” Sydni Kobayashi, her sister, said on social media that “ased on information, surveillance footage reviewed and information shared with us, these are the facts known to my mother and I: It does not appear that Hannah intentionally missed her flight.” Police, however, uncovered old social media posts suggesting that Kobayashi had “expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity,” McDonnell said. “She has a right to her privacy, and we respect her choices,” he said, “but we also understand the concern loved ones feel for her; a simple message could reassure those she cares about.” The LAPD investigation will not take the search into Mexico, McDonnell said, but he encouraged anyone with information about Kobayashi’s whereabouts to contact law enforcement.