Hannah Kobayashi family frustrated over LAPD’s comments about her disappearance

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The family of Hannah Kobayshi is expressing disappointment and frustration with the Los Angeles Police Department over its recent comments about her disappearance.
The disappearance of the 30-year-old Hawaii native continues to make national headlines.
On Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said Kobayashi “intentionally” missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York on Nov. 8.
The Kobayashi family said the public announcement caught them off-guard.
“The way that it kind of seems to state it is she went out and about to do her own thing,” said her sister, Sydni Kobayashi.
Sydni Kobayashi fears the new information might discourage people from searching for her. She’s also disturbed that the police chief said Hannah was 23 years old instead of her actual age, which is 30.
“To hear that and not to have it run by our family first, but to get her age wrong after that, it’s very discouraging,” Sydni explained. “I don’t want to bash the LAPD. I don’t want to discredit them if they are doing what they are doing.
“At this time, it makes us very confused as to where they are at,” she said.
Sydni said she still believes that Hannah is in danger. One reason is because even if she decided to go off the grid, Hannah would have reached out after the death of her father, who spent day and night looking for her in Los Angeles.
“With my father’s passing, with it being everywhere, in her right state of mind, she would have never thought to not reach out to anybody,” said Kobayashi.
Meanwhile, LAPD said it intends to bring Hannah home.
“Our hearts go out to the Kobayashi family during this unimaginable time of grief,” said McDonnell. “We remain fully committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate this tragedy.”
Hawaii News Now reached out to LAPD about the family’s concerns and is waiting to hear back.
Hannah’s sister urges the public to remain vigilant and keep looking out.
Anyone with tips on Hannah’s whereabouts is asked to call Los Angeles CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. If she is seen, you are also asked to call The RAD Movement, a national non-profit that supports the families of missing persons, at 619-904-0840.
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