Hannah Kobayashi's family has announced that she has been "found safe" nearly a month-long disappearance in which she turned up in Mexico in what authorities have described as voluntary.
"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," her sister and mother, Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee, revealed to PEOPLE through their attorney, Sara Azari.
"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," the family disclosed.
"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," Hannah's sister and mother stated.
Kobayashi disappeared while on a trip from Hawaii to New York, missing a connecting flight in Los Angeles. Family members said, NewNation also reported, that they received strange texts from her that were out of character before her phone was turned off. Surveillance video showed her at LA's Grove Market and near the stadium where the LA Lakers play, some footage indicating she wasn't alone. This has led the family to fear she may have been trafficked.
The search has been complicated by the suicide of her father, Ryan Kobayashi.
Authorities later classified Kobayashi's case as voluntary, saying she intentionally skipped her flight and walked to Mexico. Her family rejected this, claiming the police did not provide accurate information or updates.
Family insisted they didn't believe Kobayashi missed her flight intentionally and feared she may have been targeted by a green card marriage scam. This fear was reinforced after a photo surfaced showing her at a Hawaiian beach wedding with a man.
Originally published on Latin Times.
