Hannah Kobayashi Found Safe, Ending Search That Captivated The Nation

LOS ANGELES, CA — The family of Hannah Kobayashi, who was reported missing after landing at Los Angeles International Airport last month, has confirmed that she has been found safe.

"This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through. We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time. Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us," Kobayashi's mother and sister said in a statement posted Wednesday by their lawyer.

The family reportedly spoke to the missing woman by phone. No additional details about her whereabouts have been released.

The mysterious disappearance of a beautiful young woman captured national attention. She sent cryptic text messages to loved ones between the day she landed in Los Angeles and missed a connecting fight to New York and the day she went off the grid, prompting widespread concern that she may have been the victim of human trafficking. However, Los Angeles Police Department detectives dismissed the theory, announcing Kobayashi appeared to have gone missing voluntarily.

During a press conference last week, the Los Angeles Police Department announced Kobayashi's case was classified as a voluntary missing person. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said it appeared that Kobayashi intentionally missed her flight and crossed into Mexico.

Law enforcement said they reviewed video footage from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol showed Kobayashi safely arriving at the California-Mexico border alone with her luggage on Nov. 12 — four days after missing a connecting flight from LAX to New York.

Kobayashi's family had been searching for the 30-year-old Hawaiian woman since Nov. 12, some traveling to LA from Hawaii to retrace Hannah's steps. The search took a tragic turn when her father, Ryan Kobayashi, who flew in from Hawaii to help in the search took his own life, according to authorities. He was found dead on Nov. 24 in a parking lot near LAX, according to the county medical examiner.

Following her father's death, police urged Kobayashi to reach out to her family.

Related coverage: Hannah Kobayashi Willingly Missed Flight, Crossed Mexico Border: LAPD

"We are happy to learn that Hannah has been found safe," the LAPD said in a statement. "Now that we have this new information, this has become a private matter, and we will wrap up our investigation."