Hannah Kobayashi Speaks Out After Disappearance, Father’s Suicide to Replicate on ‘Loss, Ache and Struggling’

The 30-year-old from Hawaii made nationwide headlines final November when she left Maui on November 8, 2024, after which went lacking after failing to catch a connecting flight to New York Metropolis from Los Angeles.

It wasn’t till December 11 that Hannah’s household revealed she had been “discovered protected,” after what authorities later described as a “voluntary” disappearance into Mexico.

Throughout the weeks-long seek for Hannah, her father, Ryan, 58, traveled to Los Angeles to search for his daughter. Sadly, on November 24, two weeks after Hannah went lacking, Ryan was discovered lifeless in a parking zone close to Los Angeles Worldwide Airport. His explanation for loss of life was dominated as a number of blunt pressure traumatic accidents, and the style of loss of life was listed as suicide, in line with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s report.

Within the wake of this heartbreaking loss of life, Hannah has returned to Instagram to discuss “loss and ache and struggling.” Over the weekend, she shared an emotional Instagram Tales publish, which has since been deleted or expired.

Within the video, which has since been shared by the Day by day Mail, she expressed her gratitude, thanking “each single one that devoted time and power into in search of me.”

She added, “On daily basis is such a present, particularly after such loss and ache and struggling. We must always all study to be variety to at least one one other,” although she didn’t straight point out her father.

Hannah additionally spoke to SFGate on Might 19, revealing that she plans to share extra particulars about her disappearance sooner or later. “Given my explicit state of affairs on the opposite facet of my expertise, I perceive how some folks would select to solid me in a unfavourable mild, however I do know who I’m, I do know my fact and someday, I’ll share it,” she stated.

“I do consider that we will all study to be kinder to at least one one other as a result of we by no means actually know what another person has been by way of until we’ve walked of their sneakers,” Hannah added.

On Might 4, Hannah returned to Instagram, sharing a black-and-white photograph of bushes, as she shared a reflective message.

“For all that I’ve but to say, the love in my coronary heart stays the identical, for each being that exists and people to come back…” she wrote. “To go deep inside and bear witness to your unwavering resilience is a real remembrance. Extra highly effective than you possibly can ever think about. Stand up in opposition to tyranny, stand up in opposition to hate. Overcome concern and nothing will ever cease you from changing into that during which you might be destined.”

Within the feedback, Hannah addressed a query about why she did not attend her father’s funeral.

“You do not know the entire story. My intention on this publish is to acknowledge that I’m going to discuss my expertise — and to face up in opposition to all of the hate that was solid upon me. I hope that in your darkest hours, you might be proven compassion and love versus hate and judgment,” she stated in a response to a commenter.

After her return to the U.S. in December, Hannah spoke to PEOPLE in an announcement, through her aunt, Larie Pidgeon.

“My focus now’s on my therapeutic, my peace, and my creativity. I’m deeply grateful to my household and everybody who has proven me kindness and compassion throughout this time,” she stated within the assertion.

On the time, Hannah additionally expressed that she wasn’t conscious of the extreme media protection surrounding her disappearance.

“I used to be unaware of the whole lot that was occurring within the media whereas I used to be away, and I’m nonetheless processing all of it. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my household, and my family members as I navigate by way of this difficult time. Thanks in your understanding,” Hannah shared.

Should you or somebody you understand wants assist, name 988 to succeed in the Suicide and Disaster Lifeline. It’s also possible to name the community, beforehand often known as the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, textual content HOME to 741741, or go to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/sources for added sources.