LAPD to update public on Maui woman who vanished in Los Angeles

Authorities are set to update the public Monday evening with the latest details on Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old Maui resident who has been the center of a massive search since she vanished in Los Angeles in early November.  

On the way to visit her aunt in New York, the 30-year-old flew from Hawaii to L.A. on Nov. 8 and intentionally missed her connecting flight at LAX, according to Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell. 

The Maui native was spotted a day later at The Grove for a LeBron James event, with family members receiving concerning texts from her that same day.  

She was last seen at the Pico Metro Station near Crypto.com Arena around 10 p.m. on Nov. 11 with an unknown person. 

As the weeks passed and the search intensified, with more family members traveling to L.A. to look for her, they stated publicly that they believed Hannah had possibly been harmed by another person.  

Then, on Nov. 24, the story took another tragic turn. Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, was found dead in a parking lot near LAX, where the search was centered. 

The LAPD said he died by suicide. 

Ryan spoke with KTLA just days before his death, in hopes of reaching his daughter. 

“I miss her,” he said. “Just want her to know that and just want her to reach out – anything.” 

Nearly a month after her initial disappearance, the 30-year-old was reportedly spotted on surveillance cameras crossing the border into Mexico.  

This developing story will be updated with details from LAPD’s press conference.