Your support helps us tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to big tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the finances of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word,’ which shines a light on American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know the importance of analyzing the facts of messaging. .
At such a critical moment in American history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to continue sending journalists to tell both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to block Americans from our reporting and analysis with a paywall. We believe that quality journalism should be available to everyone, and paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes a difference.
Hannah KobayashiA 30-year-old Hawaii woman who went missing after flying to Los Angeles last month has been found safe, her family said.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe,” her family he said in a statement to KABC. “The past month has been an unimaginable trial for our family and we kindly ask for privacy as we take time to heal and process everything we’ve been through. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported us through this difficult time. Your kindness and care have meant a whole lot to us. the world.”
The family did not provide further details in their statement.
The Independent has contacted the family’s attorney for comment.
Kobayashi boarded a plane to Los Angeles on November 8, but did not board a scheduled connecting flight to New York, where she had a gig and was photographed at a DJ performance.
She told her family that she missed her flight and planned to sleep at the Los Angeles airport.
Family members and friends said that’s when they started receiving messages sent from Kobayashi’s phone.
“Deep hackers have wiped my identity, stolen all my funds and been screwing me since Friday,” one message said to a friend, according to screenshots sent by her sister CNN. “I’ve been pretty tricked into giving away all my means,” said another, followed by: “For someone I thought I loved.”
A few days after the flight, the 30-year-old was photographed around Los Angeles, including at the luxury shopping center Rove.
Her last Instagram post on Nov. 10 appeared to indicate she was still in Los Angeles. Her family lost contact with her the next day.
Family members rallied the public to try to find Kobayashi.
In late November, Kobayashi’s father Ryan was found dead in a Los Angeles parking lot in what was ruled a suicide.
At a press conference last week, the Los Angeles Police Department described the disappearance as voluntary and said Kobayashi claimed her luggage from LAX on Nov. 11.
She then used her passport and cash to buy a ticket to the US-Mexico border at Union Station in Los Angeles.
Police said on Nov. 12 they “reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection surveillance video, which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border into Mexico on foot” at the San Diego San Ysidro crossing.
“She was alone with her luggage and appeared to be unharmed at this time,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “Investigators noted that, before leaving Maui, Kobayashi expressed a desire to get away from modern hookups.”
This is breaking news and will be updated with new information.