Hannah Kobayashi has been ‘found safe’ a month after disappearance at LAX drove dad to suicide, but does not wish to return to her family

Her sister Sydni Kobayashi confirmed she had spoken with her sister Hannah Kobayashi on the phone, and that she was safe in Mexico with their aunt Larie Pidgeon

Hannah Kobayashi, 31, vanished at LAX November 8 while traveling from her home in Hawaii to NYC for a ‘bucket list’ trip

Her family who contradicted police reports and doubting the missing woman was safe, now say she contacted relatives on Wednesday to tell them she is fine

After she was declared missing, her father flew to Los Angeles to help the search for her and ended up killing himself

LAPD later reported that Kobayashi had crossed voluntarily into Mexico on Nov 12, days after she supposedly vanished

Police closed the probe into her whereabouts after finding that she was ‘voluntarily missing’

Kobayashi’s family have stated that they are exploring the possibility she may have been caught up in a green card marriage scam in the lead up to her disappearance

Missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi, [photo], who sparked a frantic search after she ‘vanished’ on Nov 8, contacted relatives Wednesday to tell them she is fine, her family confirmed

The convulated disappearance saga of Hannah Kobayashi got even stranger after it was announced that has been found safe and is back in touch with her family, loved ones have revealed.
The ‘missing’ Hawaii woman contacted her relatives Wednesday to tell them she is fine, stating: ‘We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe,’ the statement said.
‘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 family said.
In Thursday’s Facebook post, Sydni Kobayashi confirmed she had spoken with her sister Hannah Kobayashi on the phone, and that she was safe in Mexico with their aunt Larie Pidgeon.
“We have only spoken to her over the phone, and she was allegedly found safe with Larie, but at this time, she does not wish to return to us,” Sydni Kobayashi wrote.

Kobayashi disappeared from Los Angeles International Airport after missing a connecting flight from her home in Maui to New York. She was seen after landing at LAX [left], and buying a bus ticket at Union Station on the [right] 

A frantic search for the 31-year-old Hawaii woman was launched when she vanished after landing at The Los Angeles International Airport on November 8

31-year-old aspiring photographer Hannah Kobayashi vanished at LAX November 8, while traveling from her home in Hawaii to NYC for a ‘bucket list’ trip. In the midst of the search, her dad flew to Los Angeles to help the search for his daughter only to end up killing himself on November 29.
However, earlier this month Los Angeles police reported that she had crossed voluntarily into Mexico on November 12. That failed to put the matter to rest with her family contradicting police in public statements, maintaining that they still were not sure Kobayashi was safe. 
Kobayashi reportedly, disappeared from the Los Angeles International Airport after missing a connecting flight from her home in Maui to New York.
Surveillance footage showed that she arrived LAX and bought a bus ticket at Union Station. Investigators say Kobayashi ‘knowingly departed’ the airport, before using her passport and cash to buy a bus ticket to the US-Mexico border. Days after her last sighting, she was caught on surveillance footage crossing into Tijuana on foot between November 12 and 13.
Police closed the probe into her whereabouts after finding that she was ‘voluntarily missing.’  Subsequently, Kobayashi’s relatives have faced backlash after police revealed she was not missing, as they had raised money for the search.

Hannah’s dad, Ryan Kobayashi, seen [center], with relatives, flew in from Hawaii and spent nearly two weeks searching for his missing daughter Hannah in Los Angeles before he took his own life on Nov. 29

Her family believing law enforcement accounts came out with a public statement that they had not seen the surveillance footage that shows their daughter walking across the border into Mexico – until December 2, adding that going to Mexico was uncharacteristic for Hannah and they were still trying to get in contact with her. 
Even after police closed the probe, the family said the search for Kobayashi was ‘far from over, and they are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely’.
‘We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,’ they said in a statement shared online by NewsNation correspondent Brian Entin.
‘Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search.

Kobayashi’s relatives who faced backlash after cops revealed she was not missing, as they had raised money for the search, have said they are exploring the possibility she may have been caught up in a green card marriage scam in the lead up to her disappearance

‘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.
‘Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts.’
There have been unconfirmed reports that Kobayashi ‘had been apparently scammed out of the proceeds of a green card visa scheme’ after it was revealed that Kobayashi and her then partner landed in LAX with plans to board their connecting flight, with her legal husband and his partner also onboard.
The family also stated that they were exploring the possibility she may have been caught up in a green card marriage scam in the lead up to her disappearance.
The scam allegedly, was uncovered by Kobayashi’s mother who found documents listing an attorney for her daughter’s marriage, which she handed over to law enforcement.

Sydni Kobayashi who confirmed she had spoken with her sister Hannah Kobayashi on the phone, and that she was safe in Mexico with their aunt Larie Pidgeon, said the money donated toward search efforts and later funeral expenses for her father) had been collected in good faith

Meanwhile Sydni Kobayashi reiterated in her Facebook post that the money donated toward search efforts (and later funeral expenses for her father) had been collected in good faith.
On Thursday, she also announced on GoFundMe that any donors who wished to be refunded could submit a claim to get the process started.
“In due time, the truth will surface, and we will all get the answers we truly deserve,” Sydni Kobayashi wrote. “I stand by the choices I’ve made for my family, and we know where our hearts lie in this.