Hannah Kobayashi: Search continues for Hawaii woman who disappeared from LAX

LOS ANGELES - The search continues Monday for Hannah Kobayashi, a Hawaii woman who missed a connecting flight in Los Angeles and was last seen at LAX, according to her family and police. 

Kobayashi, 31, was reported missing by her family to the Los Angeles Police Department on Nov. 12 after she missed a connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX days earlier on Nov. 8.

"Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX Airport on Nov. 8, 2024 and last contacted her family via phone on Nov. 9, 2024," the LAPD wrote in the missing person alert for Kobayashi. 

Her family is worried sick, especially after they received "strange" messages that "didn't sound like her."

Hannah Kobayashi was last seen at LAX on Nov. 8, 2024, and last contacted her family on Nov. 9, 2024. / Los Angeles Police Department

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"Even in those text messages, it just didn't seem like her or it seemed like someone else, or maybe someone did something to her to alter her state of mind, because that's not how she normally speaks," her sister Sydni Kobayashi said. "She is one of the most grounded people that I know."

Security footage obtained by Kobayashi's family shows her leaving the airport on Nov. 8, wearing a black hoodie, tie-dye leggings, and carrying a dark green backpack. 

Her family told Hawaii News Now she texted a friend that she "got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds," and in a second message she was deceived by "someone I thought I loved."

According to her family, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove on Nov. 9 and 10.  On the 10th, Kobayashi posted to her Instagram a black-and-white photo from the two-day Nike and LeBron James event she apparently attended at the shopping center located about 14 miles north of the airport.

Security footage from LAX obtained by the family shows Kobayashi apparently leaving the airport on Nov. 8 wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, tie-dye leggings and a dark green backpack.

Kobayashi returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight, according to the family, who cited airport staffers. Kobayashi's phone last pinged at LAX on Nov. 11.

"Hannah's last message to us was alarming -- she mentioned feeling scared, and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity," according to the family. "She hasn't been heard from since, and we are gravely concerned for her safety."

In an update over the weekend, the family released a statement saying they also obtained surveillance video showing Kobayashi in the area of the Pico Metro station near Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. It's unclear when the footage was taken, but the family indicated that "it is evident Hannah does not appear to be in good condition and she is not alone."

"It's just very unlike her to disappear," said sister Sydni, who is in Los Angeles with family searching for the missing Hawaii native. 

"If she is watching this… I love you Hannah. I miss you so much and just don't be scared… if there's something you can do to let us know you're ok, do that," she said. 

Family said Kobayashi sticks to her plans and is close to her family, known to constantly check in. Sydni fears her younger sister's been drugged or trafficked… and fears she'll never see her again.

"We don't want her to just become another missing person," she said.

The family started a GoFundMe page to aid with costs associated with the search.

The case remains active, the LAPD said.

Kobayashi is described as 5'10", 140 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has freckles on her face and a tattoo of a knife on her forearm, according to the LAPD. 

If you see Kobayashi or have any information regarding her whereabouts, contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.