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Hannah Kobayashi found after Mexico border crossing in month-long disappearance, family says

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Hannah Kobayashi found after Mexico border crossing in month-long disappearance, family says

Missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi has been “found safe” about a month after surveillance footage captured her crossing into Mexico with a suitcase in a disappearance that made nationwide headlines. 

Kobayashi’s mother Brandi Yee and her sister Sydni Kobayashi said they were “incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe” in a statement issued through their attorney, Sara Azari, on X on Wednesday.

“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,” the family said.

HANNAH KOBAYASHI MISSED LOS ANGELES FLIGHT INTENTIONALLY, POLICE SAY; FAMILY CLAIMS EVIDENCE SHOWS OTHERWISE

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)

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“We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time,” the statement continued. “Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us.”

In a statement to People, Azari did not comment on the circumstances of when, where or how Kobayashi’s family contacted her, and said there would be no further statements at this time. Azari could not immediately be reached for comment.

Earlier this month, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said surveillance footage and other evidence showed Kobayashi entering Mexico on foot, alone and carrying luggage, at the San Ysidro port of entry on Nov. 12. There was no evidence that she was “being trafficked or [was] the victim of foul play,” McDonnell said.

HANNAH KOBAYASHI LISTED AS ‘VOLUNTARY MISSING PERSON’ AFTER VIDEO SHOWS HER CROSSING INTO MEXICO: POLICE

Hannah Kobayashi’s mother filed a missing persons report after her daughter seemingly disappeared. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)

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Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi’s aunt, who has acted as a family spokesperson during their search, said at the time that her “worry for Hannah [had] not lessened.” 

“Hannah never mentioned any plans to travel to Mexico, and no one in her life knew she intended to go there,” she previously told Fox News Digital. “What alarms me even more is her complete disconnection from her phone, her social media and her world – this is not who she is.”

Before Kobayashi was found, Pidgeon told Fox News Digital that she had “parted ways” with the rest of the family, saying that her “sole focus remain[ed] on finding Hannah” and that she intended to travel to Mexico to “verify that she is acting of her own free will and truly safe.” 

HANNAH KOBAYASHI MISSED LOS ANGELES FLIGHT INTENTIONALLY, POLICE SAY; FAMILY CLAIMS EVIDENCE SHOWS OTHERWISE

Pidgeon later told NewsNation that she did not see why funds raised were being used on an attorney rather than a private investigator. 

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Kobayashi flew from Hawaii to Los Angeles and was scheduled to take a connecting flight to New York on Nov. 8, with a 42-minute layover at 11 a.m., but did not board a flight despite a detailed itinerary and a booked hotel room in New York City. 

Previously, Pidgeon told Fox News Digital that friends and family received a flurry of bizarre text messages from Kobayashi after her missed flight that didn’t 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.”

HAWAII WOMAN’S CRYPTIC TEXT MESSAGES PROMPT CONCERN AFTER DISAPPEARANCE

Kobayashi, 30, was heading to New York City to visit family. (Hannah Kobayashi via Instagram)

“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.’”

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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.

But family attorney 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.”

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Tarot influencer’s claims in Idaho college murders case spark courtroom reckoning

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Tarot influencer’s claims in Idaho college murders case spark courtroom reckoning

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A federal jury in Boise awarded $10 million to a University of Idaho professor after finding a Texas TikToker financially liable for spreading false claims that linked her to the 2022 stabbing deaths of four college students.

The decision came Friday in U.S. District Court in the case of Scofield v. Guillard. Jurors awarded $7.5 million in punitive damages and $2.5 million in compensatory damages, according to court records and reporting by the Idaho Statesman.

Professor Rebecca Scofield, who chairs the university’s history department, filed suit in December 2022 against Houston resident Ashley Guillard. The lawsuit stemmed from a series of TikTok videos in which Guillard alleged, without evidence, that Scofield had a romantic relationship with one of the victims and arranged the killings.

The victims, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, were stabbed to death in a rental home near campus in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. The crime drew nationwide attention and left the campus community reeling.

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Ashley Guillard posted TikTok videos falsely linking a University of Idaho professor to the Idaho college murders, leading to a defamation lawsuit. (TikTok/ashleyisinthebookoflife4)

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Authorities later arrested Bryan Kohberger, a criminology doctoral student at nearby Washington State University at the time. He ultimately pleaded guilty in a deal that spared him the death penalty and is now serving four consecutive life sentences in an Idaho state prison.

In a statement to Fox News Digital following the verdict, Scofield expressed gratitude to the jury and said she hopes to close a painful chapter.

“I want to thank the jury for their time and attention to this case. The judge had already ruled as a matter of law that the statements were false. The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community,” Scofield said.

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BRYAN KOHBERGER FIGHTS $27K RESTITUTION FOR VICTIMS’ FAMILIES WHILE TAKING MONEY BEHIND BARS

University of Idaho students from left to right: Ethan Chapin, 20; Xana Kernodle, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. All four were stabbed to death in an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. (Jazzmin Kernodle via AP/Instagram/ @kayleegoncalves)

“The murders of the four students on November 13, 2022, was the darkest chapter in our university’s history. Today’s decision shows that respect and care should always be granted to victims during these tragedies. I am hopeful that this difficult chapter in my life is over, and I can return to a more normal life with my family and the wonderful Moscow community.”

Court filings show that in June 2024, Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco determined that Guillard’s statements were legally defamatory, leaving only the question of monetary damages for a jury to decide.

According to the complaint, Guillard began posting videos in late November 2022 claiming Scofield had secretly been involved with one of the students and had “ordered” the killings. The lawsuit states Scofield had never met any of the victims and was out of state when the murders occurred.

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IDAHO MURDER VICTIMS’ FAMILIES EXPRESS OUTRAGE AFTER CRIME SCENE PHOTOS ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED

People lay flowers and pay respects at the University of Idaho on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. Four students were murdered in Moscow, Idaho over the weekend. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

The filing further alleges that Guillard continued publishing the accusations even after receiving cease-and-desist letters and after police publicly indicated Scofield was not connected to the crime.

At the time, Guillard’s TikTok account had garnered more than 100,000 followers, with some of the videos receiving millions of interactions, according to court documents.

Scofield’s legal team argued the statements amounted to defamation because they accused her of criminal conduct and professional misconduct that could jeopardize her academic career.

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During the damages trial, Scofield described the emotional toll of seeing her name associated with the murders online, according to the Idaho Statesman. Jurors deliberated for less than two hours before returning their verdict, the outlet reported.

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Guillard, who represented herself in court, has maintained that her statements were expressions of belief tied to tarot card readings, according to courtroom coverage.

It was not immediately known whether she intends to appeal. Fox News Digital has reached out to Guillard for comment.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

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San Francisco, CA

5 teens, 3 adults arrested in San Francisco double stabbing at Dolores Park

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5 teens, 3 adults arrested in San Francisco double stabbing at Dolores Park



Three adults and five juveniles were arrested after two people were stabbed on Wednesday at San Francisco’s Dolores Park, police said.

The San Francisco Police Department said officers responded at about 4:50 p.m. to a report of a group of people fighting at the park. On the way there, the officers were notified that there was a possible stabbing, police said.

When officers arrived, they found two men with stab wounds, and the officers began first aid before medics arrived. Both men were taken to the hospital, one with life-threatening injuries, police said.

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Officers searched the area around the park and detained eight people; they were all arrested after investigators developed probable cause, police said. The adults were identified as 18-year-old Fernando Moreno Hernandez, 18-year-old David Paz, and 19-year-old Yeferson Mondragon-Ortiz. Each was booked into the San Francisco County Jail.

The five teenagers were taken and booked into the city’s Juvenile Justice Center.

All suspects were charged with attempted murder, conspiracy, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and assault with a deadly weapon.  

Police said the case was still under active investigation, and anyone with information was asked to contact the department at 415-575-4444, or send a text to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense

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Ranking the Broncos free agent needs on offense


NFL Free Agency opens up on Wednesday, with the legal tampering period beginning on Monday. The top free agents usually all commit to a team during that period, so be ready to rock and roll to start next week.

I figured now would be a good time to do a little discussion around the Denver Broncos and where we think their top priorities should be on offense when free agency kicks off.

Broncos top FA needs on offense

Tim Lynch: For free agency, I’d say running back and tight end are the highest on my wish list.

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I’d say pay big for a top free agent running back and ensure you have a monster two-headed backfield next season. They need a superior run-blocking tight end and, if they move on from Evan Engram, a pass-catcher too.

Christopher Hart: I agree with Tim. Those are the biggest needs for the offense. Getting a top-notch running back and a tight end capable of playing inline to replace Adam Trautman is a must. The two players I advocated a few weeks ago were running back Travis Etienne and tight end Cade Otton. Both would be fantastic additions and help take Denver’s offense to the next level in 2026.

Scotty Payne: Playmaker is the top and biggest need. That includes a RB, TE, and/or WR in that order.

Need to improve the run game regardless, need some sort of production out of the TEs as well as improved blocking, and if they can get a true WR1, that would be great too.

Ross Allen: I think we’re all in agreement.

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Getting someone who can be the dominant running back and have RJ Harvey serve that glamorous “joker” role would be huge for this offense. And given that they also don’t have a legitimate playmaker at the receiving position hurts them. A TE or WR can fill that role.

Sadaraine: The #1 need for the Broncos on offense is a top-notch running back. I will be blown away if the Broncos don’t sign a top-tier free agent running back to upgrade the offense (and no, J.K. Dobbins wouldn’t be that guy…not with his injury history).

There’s a significant gap in need after that until we start talking about tight ends and receivers. I think we’re more likely to see more money spent on a tight end than a receiver, but this offense could use both to be sure.

Ian St. Clair: Not to beat a dead horse, but running back is the biggest need and priority for this team when free agency starts. Having a consistent and effective running game will make Nix and the offense exponentially better. It will make the team better. After running back, the Broncos need to figure out their tight end.

Adam Malnati: Give Bo a weapon. I don’t care which position. Yes, RB is a need. Yes, TE is a need (thanks a lot Evan Engram). Still, a weapon would be nice.

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Predictably, we’re all heavily keyed in on running back and tight end. That was a big part of our free agent profile coverage too and for good reason. There have been many rumors around Denver looking to target both positions next week and where there is smoke there is usually fire.

The question really becomes: go big or go affordable? With the championship window open, I’m leaning go big on premium play-maker positions this offseason.

Where do you stand on this discussion? Give us your top free agent needs on offense and how you hope the Broncos address them next week.



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