Family of woman missing on cross-country trip says cryptic texts unlike her

The family of missing photographer Hannah Kobayashi has gathered in Los Angeles to retrace her steps after she disappeared following a series of cryptic messages and a brief appearance with an unknown man near Skid Row. The 31-year-old Oahu, Hawaii, resident had planned a vacation to visit her aunt in New York City and flew from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8. She was excited about her first music photography gig in the city, had a detailed trip itinerary, and had already paid for her hotel room.

Kobayashi was supposed to take a connecting flight to New York with a 40-minute layover at 11 a.m., but she never boarded that flight. Her family is puzzled as to why she missed her transfer flight. Following her disappearance, friends and family received strange text messages from her that didn’t match her usual style of communication. She mentioned being tricked into giving away her funds for someone she thought she loved, and spoke about having a spiritual awakening and concerns about the matrix.

Surveillance footage showed Kobayashi at the Pico Metro station with an unknown man on Nov. 11, the same day her communication with family and friends abruptly stopped. Her family has been conducting their own investigation and has viewed the footage, but are frustrated that it has not been released to the public by the LAPD. They have been distributing flyers in the area where she was last seen in the hopes of finding more information.

Despite the mysterious circumstances, witnesses who interacted with Kobayashi on Nov. 11 said she appeared to be in good spirits. Her family described her as outgoing, kind, and involved in various activities such as fire spinning, DJing, and charity work. They held a rally at the Crypto.com Arena to raise awareness about her disappearance and continue their search efforts.

Friends and family have been sharing memories of Kobayashi through videos under the hashtag #FindHannah, showcasing the impact she has had on those around her. Her father expressed gratitude for the support they have received from the community and urged anyone with information to contact the family.

The search for Hannah Kobayashi continues as her loved ones remain hopeful for her safe return. If you have any information, please reach out to the family at 845-750-3006.