Hannah Kobayashi: What we know about missing Hawaii woman and her father’s death

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CNN
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It’s been two weeks since Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi disappeared after she failed to board a connecting flight to New York City during a stopover at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8.

Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead on Sunday after he traveled to Los Angeles to look for her.

Ryan Kobayashi’s body was found Sunday around 4 a.m. on West Century Boulevard, the LAPD confirmed to CNN — at an address near the airport. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner ruled that he died by suicide.

The Kobayashi family said the “devastating tragedy” only adds to their anxiety.

“After searching tirelessly in Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” the family said in a declaration released through a nonprofit group helping with the search.

As the search for Hannah continues, here’s what we know:

Hannah had plans to spend time with an aunt in upstate New York earlier this month.

On November 8, she took a flight from Maui to Los Angeles. She was supposed to take a connecting flight from Los Angeles International Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport that day, but she did not board, her sister, Sydni, previously told CNN.

Hannah had the same itinerary as an ex-boyfriend. The couple decided to keep their flight since they couldn’t get a refund, but would go their separate ways when they landed in New York, Sydni said.

The next day, Hannah was seen at a Taschen bookstore at The Grove mall in Los Angeles, her sister said, and it’s unclear why she was there. Hannah then sent a Venmo payment to two people whose names the family does not recognize, Sydni said.

Sunday 10 November at video was posted on YouTube, Hannah shows the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, a cases held at the Nike store in the same mall. A photo of the event was also posted on her Instagram accountsaid her sister.

On Nov. 11 — the last day anyone heard from the missing woman — her mother texted her asking if she was making it to New York. Hannah said no, her sister said. Hannah also sent messages to a friend who said she didn’t feel safe and that someone was trying to steal her identity and money, according to screenshots her sister sent to CNN.

“Deep Hackers deleted my identity, stole all my money and have been on my mind since Friday,” said one message to a friend.

Another message said: “I was tricked into pretty much giving away all my money,” followed by one who said: “For someone I thought I loved.”

On November 15, the Los Angeles Police Department’s missing persons unit made a poster about Hannah’s disappearance, saying she was last seen at the airport. The said she has freckles on her face and a tattoo on her forearm.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Nov. 17, Sydni said the family had obtained surveillance footage showing her sister walking around the downtown subway station near the Crypto.com Arena, though it was unclear exactly when the footage was taken.

In the footage, Hannah is not alone and “does not appear to be in good health,” the family wrote, saying they are unable to share further details.

Hannah’s father Ryan traveled to Los Angeles not long after his daughter’s disappearance to help search for her.

“Hannah loved to travel. She loved photography, art, music. I wasn’t too close to her … growing up. We haven’t been in touch for a while,” the elder Kobayashi told CNN’s Veronica Miracle in an interview last week. “I’m just trying to make it up. I’m trying to get her back. That’s my main focus.”

But after searching for his 30-year-old daughter for nearly two weeks, he was found dead, according to family declaration.

Hannah’s aunt, Larie Pidgeon, spoke briefly to CNN about Ryan’s death.

“As you can imagine, the family is devastated,” Pidgeon said Monday. “We also want to make it clear that Ryan died of a broken heart.”

A newly released statement Monday from the family said they are “overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of love and support” during this time.

“The loss of Ryan has been a heartbreaking tragedy for all of us, and we are forever grateful for the compassion and strength you have shown. As we navigate the unimaginable grief, we hold on to hope and turn to our community for help,” the statement said.

“The search for our beloved Hannah must continue with the same love and determination that Ryan would have wanted. We need your help, we need your strength. Our family needs you. The search for our dear Hannah must continue with unwavering hope and determination. She is still out there and we believe that together we can bring her home,” it continued.

ONE GoFundMe page has been set up to support Ryan’s fiancee “during this unimaginable time.”

CNNs Karina Tsui, Amanda Jackson, Elizabeth Wolfe, Maria Aguilar Prieto, Natasha Chen and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.