Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi went missing from Los Angeles while on her way to New York City (Image: Facebook)
A woman who mysteriously disappeared during an airport layover, leading to the tragic suicide of her devastated father, has been found safe and sound.
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, vanished without a trace three weeks ago, prompting her father, Ryan Kobayashi, to take his own life after an exhaustive search for his missing daughter.
Earlier this month, CCTV footage from the US-Mexico border near Tijuana revealed her presence about a day after she went missing from the layover at Los Angeles Airport – and roughly 11 days before her father tragically ended his life.
However, in a sudden turn of events tonight, her family has announced that she has been found safe.
Hannah’s dad searched tirelessly for her (Image: /)
It is believed she has returned to the US from Mexico, although the exact details remain unclear.
A statement shared with MailOnline reads: “We are incredibly relieved and grateful Hannah has been found safe.”
The Los Angeles Police Department added: “We are happy to learn Hannah has been found safe. Now we have this new information, this has become a private matter and we will wrap up our investigation.”
A previous statement posted on a Facebook page created to aid in finding Hannah warned that she was “missing and in imminent danger”, reports the Mirror.
Disturbing footage emerged of Hannah (Image: Hawaii News Now)
Concerns escalated when Hannah failed to arrive in New York City last month on a flight from LAX.
The woman from Hawaii vanished in downtown Los Angeles, and her family suspected foul play as they insisted Hannah would never intentionally miss her flight.
She had previously sent a text to a friend about having a “spiritual awakening” and was later seen with an unidentified man on November 11, just days before CCTV allegedly captured her in Mexico.
On November 26, Los Angeles police emphasised their belief that Hannah deliberately missed her connection.
Hannah is seen in surveillance footage buying bus ticket to Mexico (Image: /)
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said “the investigation determined” that Hannah’s missed connection “was intentional.”
He added: “On November 15, our missing persons unit assumed investigative responsibility.
Detectives have been diligently reviewing video surveillance and employing various investigative techniques to locate Hannah, while her family has continued their personal search efforts.”
It was reported last week that Hannah is thought to have spent nine hours with an unknown man before crossing the border into Mexico.
Hannah was seen in security footage at the border near Tijuana, about 145 miles from LAX, about a day after she disappeared (Image: /)
According to the police, Kobayashi met the unknown man near Los Angeles’ LAX airport, and they were then seen walking through downtown LA.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the family confirmed last week that her father had committed suicide after failing to find his daughter.
They wrote: “The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today.
“After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life.
Volunteers put up flyers in LA (Image: Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
“This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably. What the family needs most in this difficult time is for all communities to rally around them with support, compassion, and prayers.
“Please be considerate with your comments and posts.
“The trauma they are enduring is profound, and they now face the additional burden of grieving the loss of their family’s pillar and navigating next steps.
“Again, it is the family wish the public keep the focus on locating and recovering Hannah safely.
Ryan Kobayashi holds a picture of his missing daughter Hannah Kobayashi (Image: AP)
“Hannah’s last message to us was alarming – she mentioned feeling scared and that someone might be trying to steal her money and identity.”
They wrote at the time: “She hasn’t been heard from since, and we are gravely concerned for her safety.”
