Ryan Kobayashi, the father of a 31-year-old Maui woman who disappeared in Los Angeles, was discovered dead near LAX early Sunday morning., authorities confirmed, as reported by KTLA. The senior Kobayashi had been in the city to aid in finding his 31-year-old daughter who disappeared nearly two weeks prior after she did not catch a connecting flight at LAX on her way from Maui to New York City.
Hannah was last heard from on Nov. 11 when she sent troubling text messages to her family, mentioning feelings of fear and concern over someone potentially trying to steal her money and identity, according to her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, who in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles. She was last seen wearing black leggings, a tie-dye sweatshirt, and a green backpack, based on the information provided by the LAPD.
Following the somber discovery of Ryan's body, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed the death without providing specific details on the cause, as per ABC News. The RAD Movement, a nonprofit believed to be involved with the family's search efforts, released a statement on behalf of the family, asserting that "The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today" and acknowledged that Ryan Kobayashi tragically took his own life.
Amid the double tragedy, the family and organizations involved urge the public to remain focused on locating Hannah, considered to be in imminent danger, in a statement obtained by FOX LA, the family said "Hannah IS still actively missing and is believed to be in imminent danger. It is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah," this appeal for public assistance and vigilance continues as the LAPD and family members seek any information that could lead to her safe return.
The public is encouraged to report any sightings or information to LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS to remain anonymous. Specific descriptors for Hannah include her being 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing about 140 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes, and identifiable freckles along with a tattoo of a knife on her forearm, as corroborated by LAPD officials.
