Missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi found safe, family says

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — Missing Maui woman Hannah Kobayashi has been found, her family announced.

Kobayashi, who vanished in Los Angeles last month, has been located and is safe, her family said in a statement shared by attorney Sara Azari.

"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," reads the statement, signed by Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi. "This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us."

No further details were released, but Kobayashi was last spotted crossing into Mexico on Nov. 12. After seeing footage of the border crossing, officials had labeled Kobayashi a "voluntary missing person," though her family vowed to continue the search.

Kobayashi, a 30-year-old budding photographer from Maui, was heading to New York City on Nov. 8 for a new job and to visit relatives when she missed a connecting flight during a stop at Los Angeles International Airport. She told her family she was sleeping at the airport that night and texted them the next day to say she was sightseeing in Los Angeles.

Her family reported her missing to law enforcement on Nov. 11 after relatives received “strange and cryptic, just alarming” text messages, according to her aunt. They traveled from Hawaii to L.A. to look for her in November, though her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX on Nov. 24, less than a week after speaking with Nexstar's KTLA and pleading for his daughter's safe return. It is believed he died by suicide.

Kobayashi’s loved ones also believed she was possibly the victim of a violent crime. Authorities, however, said they did not suspect foul play was involved and that Kobayashi entered Mexico under her own free will.

A week ago, Kobayashi’s family released a statement saying that they were “hopeful that Hannah is safe,” adding that “the search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely.”

“We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannah’s safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions,” said the statement, which was shared on social media by NewsNation’s Brian Entin.

Days earlier, the Los Angeles Police Department said they were trying to strike a balance between alleviating her family’s concerns and protecting Kobayashi’s privacy, as they claim she intended to disconnect from modern life.

Authorities added that Kobayashi is not a suspect in any criminal activity.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.