LAPD give update on Maui woman who vanished in Los Angeles

(KTLA) — After a massive and lengthy search for a 30-year-old woman from Maui who vanished in Los Angeles last month, sparking concerns of human trafficking and foul play, investigators announced Monday that she was seen crossing into Mexico, appeared unharmed and is now considered a voluntary missing person.  

Hannah Kobayashi traveled from Maui to L.A. on Nov. 8.  

There, investigators said she deliberately missed her connecting flight to New York where she was planning on visiting an aunt.  

The Maui native was spotted a day later at The Grove for a LeBron James event, with family members saying they received concerning texts from her that day and that they were concerned for her safety.  

According to police, Kobayashi was spotted on LAX surveillance cameras on Nov. 11 where she retrieved her luggage, which had originally been checked through to New York.  

“The investigation further revealed that Kobayashi knowingly departed LAX with her luggage and traveled to Union Station,” an LAPD news release stated. “While at Union Station, she used her passport to purchase a bus ticket for a destination near the Mexico border.”

 Where is Hannah Kobayashi? What we know

Investigators with LAPD’s Missing Persons Unit traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border on Dec. 1 where they viewed surveillance footage of the 30-year-old enter Mexico from San Ysidro on Nov. 12.  

“Our priority is ensuring Ms. Kobayashi’s safety and well-being,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said at the news conference. “We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know she is safe. She has the right to privacy, and we respect her choice, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel. A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”