New sightings of Hannah Kobayashi as cops following ‘credible leads’ after death of her dad during search, claims aunt
THE AUNT of missing Hannah Kobayashi has revealed that there have been “new sightings” of her missing niece as police pursue “really credible leads”.
Hannah, last seen on November 11, vanished after leaving her home in Hawaii for a bucket list trip to New York.
She failed to make her connecting flight at LAX to New York – and was later seen at an event in Los Angeles.
A string of cryptic messages were sent from her phone, sparking huge concern.
Her worried father, Ryan, flew out to LA and searched tirelessly for Hannah.
He was tragically found dead on November 25 as the LA County Medical Examiner ruled his death a suicide.
Now Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, has claimed: “There are new sightings of her.
“The police are following really, really credible leads.”
She told Maui News how she is hopeful the new sightings could eventually bring Hannah, 30, home – as the grieving family continue their desperate search.
Pidgeon previously told the Daily Mail that the day Ryan died was spent handing out flyers, and he was last seen on November 24.
“We think that Ryan bottled it up. He didn’t want to make anyone else worry,” she added.
A statement shared online from the Kobayashi family said they were dealing with a “devastating tragedy” following Ryan’s death.
“This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” it read.
The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi
HANNAH Kobayashi has been missing since she missed her connecting flight to New York.
Friday, November 8: Kobayashi leaves her home in Maui and arrives in Los Angeles for her connecting flight to New York City. She has 42 minutes to make the flight at 11 pm.
Saturday, November 9: Kobayashi is meant to land at JFK airport in New York City at 7 am but never arrives.
She is seen at a bookshop at The Grove, an hour away from LAX.
Sunday, November 10: Kobayashi sends a message saying she’s scared and worried about someone trying to steal her money and identity, alongside several other cryptic texts.
She’s later seen at an event at The Grove again in Los Angeles, attending a Nike event.
Monday, November 11: Kobayashi’s phone puts her back at LAX. She posts a picture on her Instagram account from the event. Her phone is then turned off.
Wednesday, November 13: Family files missing person’s report.
They are informed she was last seen at Pico Station in Downtown Los Angeles with an unidentified male.
Sunday, November 24: Hannah’s dad Ryan found dead in a Los Angeles parking lot after taking his own life.
Mystery continues to surround Hannah’s disappearance – almost three weeks after she was captured on surveillance footage inside Los Angeles airport.
She failed to make her connecting flight to New York that evening despite reportedly booking tickets worth hundreds of dollars for events in New York.
The young traveller was then spotted at a LeBron James event in Los Angeles, and her family said they had seen surveillance footage of her near a metro station.
The footage was taken on November 11 – which was also the day Hannah’s cell phone last pinged.
Her loved ones said Hannah didn’t look well in the video, which has not been released to the public.
A series of strange texts were also sent from Hannah’s phone after she touched down in Los Angeles.
Her mom Brandi Yee asked if she had reached New York, to which a reply said “not yet.”
A message sent to Hannah’s friend claimed the traveler had been tricked into sending money.
“For someone I thought I loved,” a subsequent text read.
MYSTERY PAYMENTS
The U.S. Sun exclusively reported how two Venmo payments were sent to a man and a woman.
Her family said they didn’t recognize the names of the people who were wired money.
Other messages sent from Hannah’s phone claimed she had undergone a spiritual awakening.
“I’m charging my phone and heading back to the airport to get to NYC, the message continued.
“I might need some help getting there, it’s a long story.”
The message was sent to Larie, and a second text said: “I think I still have my hotel room.”
A handwritten note revealed what Hannah planned to do in New York.
She had set aside time to see family and attend concerts.
A missing person’s report has been filed, but Hannah’s family has blasted Los Angeles cops.
They claimed officers didn’t question them for 10 days. “It’s not that I have anything against the LAPD; I just want them to hear us; I want them to listen to our voices that this is not like her,” Larie told The U.S. Sun.
Ryan was seen breaking down at a rally days before his death.