Hannah Kobayashi: Woman found alive after disappearance drove dad to suicide

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A woman who vanished several weeks ago during a layover at LA Airport, leading to the tragic suicide of her heartbroken father, has been found alive

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, mysteriously went missing three weeks ago leading to her father, Ryan Kobayashi, taking his own life after tirelessly searching for his daughter. Earlier this month, security footage from the US-Mexico border near Tijuana showed Hannah about a day after she disappeared and about 11 days before her dad, Ryan, ended his life, reports the Mirror

However, tonight in a sudden update, her family has reported she has been found safe. It is believed Hannah is back in the US after crossing from Mexico, although exact details are unknown. A statement shared with MailOnline reads: "We are incredibly relieved and grateful Hannah has been found safe."

Los Angeles Police Department added: "We are happy to learn Hannah has been found safe. Now we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation."

A statement previously posted online warned she was "missing and in imminent danger". Concerns grew when Hannah failed to arrive in New York City last month on the flight from LAX.

The Hawaii native vanished in downtown Los Angeles and her relatives suspected something sinister as they said at the time Hannah would never miss her flight intentionally. She had earlier sent a pal a text message saying she had a "spiritual awakening" and was later seen in the company of a mystery man on November 11, days before the CCTV footage caught her in Mexico.

Speaking on November 26, police in LA stressed they were sure Hannah intended to miss her connection flight. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said "the investigation determined' that Hannah's missed connection 'was intentional."

"On November 15, our unit assumed investigative responsibility. Detectives have been diligently reviewing video surveillance and employing various investigative techniques to locate Hannah, while her family has continued their personal search efforts."

Last week it was reported Hannah had apparently spent nine hours with an unknown man before she crossed the border into Mexico. According to police, Kobayashi met the unknown man close to Los Angeles' LAX airport and the pair were then spotted walking through downtown LA.

In a cruel twist to the tragedy, last week the family confirmed her dad had sadly taken his own life after failing to find his daughter. They wrote: "The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life.

"This loss has compounded the family's suffering immeasurably. What the family needs most in this difficult time is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion, and prayers. Please be considerate with your comments and posts.

"The trauma they are enduring is profound, and they now face the additional burden of grieving the loss of their family's pillar and navigating next steps. "Again, it is the family wish the public keep the focus on locating and recovering Hannah safely.

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

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