West
Hannah Kobayashi returns to US after Mexico disappearance, had no idea about global media coverage: report
Hannah Kobayashi, a formerly missing Hawaii woman, has returned to the United States after surveillance footage captured her crossing into Mexico on foot with a suitcase, according to authorities.
“The Los Angeles Police Department received notification from Customs and Border Protection that Hannah Kobayashi had presented herself on December 15, 2024, for entry into the US and appeared in good health,” the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement, adding that her missing persons case “is now closed.”
Kobayashi’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, recently shared a statement from Kobayashi with People magazine. “At daybreak on December 15th, I crossed the border back into the United States. My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.”
Koyabashi continued to explain that she was unaware of the national media coverage surrounding her disappearance.
“I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding,” the statement said, according to People.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI FOUND AFTER MEXICO BORDER CROSSING IN MONTH-LONG DISAPPEARANCE, FAMILY SAYS
Hannah Kobayashi sent mysterious texts to friends and family before losing contact entirely, writing that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all [her] funds.” (Larie Pidgeon)
Kobayashi, 30, was first reported missing in early November after she missed two flights from Los Angeles International Airport to New York City, where she had made plans to visit her aunt.
Officials with the LAPD soon determined that Kobayashi missed both flights intentionally “for unknown reasons.”
In early December, the LAPD listed Kobayashi as a voluntary missing person after reviewing surveillance footage with her family, “from U.S. Customs and Border Protection which clearly shows Kobayashi crossing the United States border on foot into Mexico,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said during a news conference at the time. She was carrying luggage across the border and appeared unharmed.
The case garnered national media attention due to concerns about Kobayashi’s well-being and her lack of communication with loved ones.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI MISSED LOS ANGELES FLIGHT INTENTIONALLY, POLICE SAY; FAMILY CLAIMS EVIDENCE SHOWS OTHERWISE
Hannah Kobayashi is pictured on surveillance footage from Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 9. Her family says that there is additional surveillance footage from Nov. 11 showing her with an unknown man at the Pico Metro Station, but that it has yet to be released to the public. (Missing People of America/Facebook)
On Dec. 11, days before the LAPD confirmed Kobayashi’s return to the United States, criminal defense attorney Sara Azari shared a statement on behalf of Kobayashi’s family saying she had been found safe.
“We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. 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,” the statement from Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi said.
“Much like the public, the family is in the dark with the same unanswered questions.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was heading to New York City to visit family. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)
Azari told Fox News Digital in a Tuesday statement on behalf of Kobayashi’s mother and sister that they do not have answers regarding exactly how Kobayashi was located or why she traveled to Mexico.
HANNAH KOBAYASHI LISTED AS ‘VOLUNTARY MISSING PERSON’ AFTER VIDEO SHOWS HER CROSSING INTO MEXICO: POLICE
Pidgeon previously told Fox News Digital that friends and family received a flurry of bizarre text messages from Kobayashi after her missed flight that did not match her usual cadence. She texted a friend that she “got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds” and that she was tricked “for someone I thought I loved.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, returned to the U.S. after crossing into Mexico. (Larie Pidgeon)
“She [wrote she] was having a spiritual awakening, that she was concerned about the matrix. It was just the most bizarre text messages,” Pidgeon previously said. “And it went from, ‘Hi, I can’t wait to see you guys. Love you. Everything’s great.’”
Hannah Kobayashi’s mother filed a missing person report after her daughter seemingly disappeared. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)
Ryan Kobayashi, the 30-year-old’s father, was found dead on Nov. 24 of an apparent suicide after jumping from a parking structure in Los Angeles while he and his family were searching for the missing woman.
Los Angeles Magazine reported that Kobayashi had fallen victim to an immigration scheme before going missing. Kobayashi’s mother reportedly found documents in her daughter’s Hawaii home that listed an immigration attorney, according to the outlet, and turned that information over to law enforcement.
However, Azari wrote in a post on X that the family “has not confirmed the authenticity of the images or the accuracy of the information provided about a possible secret marriage… we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information.”
Fox News’ Christina Coulter and Mollie Markowitz contributed to this report.
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This year’s annual Bay to Breakers — the event that’s as much as roving costume party as a 12 kilometer run — is being held on Sunday, May 17. While participants prepare their outfits for the event, San Franciscans prepare for the road closures that accompany the event. Transit officials recommend runners and spectators alike use subways and mass transit, especially on the day of the race.
Denver, CO
Northbound I-25 closed between Denver and Colorado Springs after fatal multi-vehicle crash
SEATTLE — Public Health – Seattle & King County officials are monitoring a fourth King County resident for possible exposure to the Andes type of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, health officials said Friday.
The Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified local health officials on May 14 about the additional resident, according to Public Health – Seattle & King County.
RELATED | What exactly is hantavirus and how concerned should Washington residents be?
The resident did not travel on the cruise ship but was aboard a flight from Johannesburg to Amsterdam with an ill cruise ship passenger before departure.
Officials said the sick passenger was removed from the aircraft before the flight left Johannesburg and later tested positive for the virus.
The infected passenger began traveling before the outbreak was reported to the World Health Organization.
The King County resident is considered at low risk for infection because they were not seated near the ill passenger, health officials said.
The resident has returned to King County, remains asymptomatic, and is monitoring for symptoms.
Earlier this week, Public Health announced that three King County residents were under monitoring for the Andes type of hantavirus.
Two of those residents had been seated near the infected passenger on the Johannesburg-to-Amsterdam flight. Both have returned home to King County, remain symptom-free, and are monitoring for symptoms in coordination with public health officials.
A third King County resident who was a passenger aboard the MV Hondius is being monitored alongside other American passengers at the national quarantine center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Officials said that the resident remains asymptomatic.
Health officials said there are currently no cases of Andes-type hantavirus in King County, and no residents are showing symptoms. The risk to the public remains low, officials said.
“We were informed yesterday of a fourth individual with a low-risk exposure and were able to reach the resident today,” Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, health officer and acting director for Public Health – Seattle & King County, said in a statement. “All our residents are following public health protocols, and the risk to the King County community remains low.”
Valenciano said monitoring exposed individuals allows health officials to support residents while ensuring early detection and rapid public health response if symptoms develop.
Hantavirus infections are rare but can cause severe illness.
The viruses are primarily spread through contact with wild rodents and exposure to their urine, droppings, or saliva.
According to health officials, the Andes virus is the only known hantavirus capable of spreading from person to person, typically through close physical contact, prolonged exposure in enclosed spaces, or contact with body fluids from an infected person.
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