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The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer, took a tragic turn as her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead just two weeks into the search for his missing daughter. Kobayashi vanished after missing a connecting flight at LAX, California, USA, later sending cryptic texts. The family has continued to seek answers as both Kobayashi’s mysterious disappearance and her father’s sudden passing have deepened their grief.
Highlights
- Hannah Kobayashi vanished after missing her LAX flight and sending cryptic texts.
- Ryan Kobayashi, her father, was found dead near LAX two weeks into Hannah's search.
- A GoFundMe for Ryan's fiancée has raised $975 to support the Kobayashi family.
Ryan Kobayashi was found dead at the age of 58 in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) around 4 a.m. local time on Sunday morning (November 24), People reported on Monday (November 25).
A GoFundMe campaign created to support Li Jaena, his fiancée, offered a heartfelt tribute.
The page, which has raised $975 at the time of writing, stated: “We are raising funds to support the Kobayashi family and provide assistance to Li during this unimaginable time.”
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The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer, took a tragic turn
Image credits: Larie Ingrum
“Ryan Kobayashi flew to Los Angeles immediately after learning of Hannah’s disappearance. Tragically, Ryan is no longer with us, leaving us all heartbroken and at a loss for words.
“If you would like to directly support Li, this GoFundMe will help her navigate through this devastating time.”
The fundraiser was created by Emi Ko, R. Kobayashi’s niece. She further shared: “Ryan was my uncle—a truly remarkable person who lit up every room with his positivity and kind heart.”
Image credits: FOX 11 Los Angeles
“He has been living his absolute worst nightmare, since Hannah’s disappearance, and now, with his passing, our family is grappling with unimaginable grief.
“Ryan’s love for his family was boundless, and he would do anything to protect and care for his daughters.
“This GoFundMe is a way to honor his memory by supporting Li, who has lost her partner and soulmate during this heartbreaking time.”
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead just two weeks into the search for his missing daughter
Image credits: Hannah Midori Eve Kobayashi
Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer from Maui, Hawaii, USA, has been missing since November 9 after failing to catch her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport, Bored Panda previously reported.
Kobayashi disappeared from the streets of downtown Los Angeles after missing the connecting flight from her native Maui in Hawaii en route to New York City.
Her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, told The Daily Mail at the time: “As of today the police have reached out to family members who last spoke with Hannah. We want them to take it a bit more seriously.”
Image credits: KTLA 5
“We think they realize we’re not going away and we’re going to be really loud. We’re going to do something until they do something.
“I think now they are beginning the process of what we began six days ago. The entire world is looking for you (Hannah) because that’s how special you are.
“We are not going to stop until we find you. We love you.”
The family has continued to seek answers as both Kobayashi’s mysterious disappearance and her father’s sudden passing have deepened their grief
Image credits: Hawaii News Now
On November 8, Kobayashi began to travel, which she reportedly described as a “bucket list dream become reality” in a hand-written itinerary, Bored Panda previously shared.
However, Kobayashi missed her connecting flight in Los Angeles while traveling to meet her aunt, Geordan Montalvo, in New York.
After sending cryptic texts that raised concerns about potential abduction or trafficking, her family grew increasingly worried for her safety.
Image credits: Hawaii News Now
Ryan Kobayashi, still alive at the time, revealed that his daughter had begun sending odd texts to family members about a “spiritual awakening.”
“She felt like she was in danger,” he said at the time. “She felt like somebody was trying to get her identity or her phone.”
Hannah Kobayashi vanished after missing a connecting flight at LAX, California, USA, later sending cryptic texts
Image credits: KHON2 News
Image credits: sydnisteeze/Sydni Kobayashi
Hannah Kobayashi was reportedly spotted in Los Angeles on November 9 at the Taschen bookstore located in The Grove shopping center, Bored Panda previously reported.
Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, stated that Kobayashi sent a Venmo payment to two people whose names the family does not recognize.
The 30-year-old from Maui, Hawaii, USA, has been missing since November 9
Image credits: Hawaii News Now
Image credits: NewsNation
On November 11, surveillance video around a downtown Los Angeles Metro train station near the Crypto.com arena reportedly showed Kobayashi with an unknown person.
Her family said she “does not appear to be in good condition” in the footage. Her Aunt Pidgeon told The Mail: “She didn’t look her normal self.
“She was with someone but we don’t know who it was at this point. She didn’t look like she was safe.”
“My heart goes out to the family,” a reader commented
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What do you think ?
Christos Arvanitis 1 month ago
This is a tragic story. It is also so poorly written by BP, that I had to read it three times to get some sense of things. I need to look for the story elsewhere to get some context.
Jaya 1 month ago
I find that the majority of BP articles are written ridiculously bad, you usually can't make sense of it. I don't know what BP is doing, are they letting AI write it or do they use people who are really bad at telling a story?
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maswartz 1 month ago
Thank you! I come here for funny stories or cute animals!
Load More Replies... 
Virgil Blue 1 month ago
It does sound a lot like that. Or now murdered and disappeared and the murderer playing sick games by sending cryptic texts. I have to wonder if the father was in the trail of whoever did this to her and this happened.
Load More Replies... Christos Arvanitis 1 month ago
This is a tragic story. It is also so poorly written by BP, that I had to read it three times to get some sense of things. I need to look for the story elsewhere to get some context.
Jaya 1 month ago
I find that the majority of BP articles are written ridiculously bad, you usually can't make sense of it. I don't know what BP is doing, are they letting AI write it or do they use people who are really bad at telling a story?
Load More Replies... maswartz 1 month ago
Thank you! I come here for funny stories or cute animals!
Load More Replies... Virgil Blue 1 month ago
It does sound a lot like that. Or now murdered and disappeared and the murderer playing sick games by sending cryptic texts. I have to wonder if the father was in the trail of whoever did this to her and this happened.
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