Hannah Kobayashi, the Hawaii woman who vanished from Los Angeles in November, has finally been "found safe," her family confirmed, after her distressing disappearance seemingly drove her father to suicide two weeks into the high-profile investigation into her whereabouts.
"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," Hannah's mother and sister, Brandi Yee and Sydni Kobayashi, said in a Wednesday statement shared on X 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."
"We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this difficult time," they continued. "Your kindness and concern have meant the world to us."
The family did not elaborate on the details, including when, where, and how exactly 30-year-old Hannah was found, but made the announcement on the one-month anniversary of her perplexing Nov. 11 disappearance.
Loved ones previously expressed fears she had been kidnapped or sex trafficked when she failed to miss her connecting flight out of Los Angeles to New York, after arriving at LAX from Honolulu.
Adding to the family's turmoil, Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, died by suicide following his arrival at LAX two weeks later to aid in the frantic search for his daughter. The 58-year-old's body was found near the airport parking garage in Los Angeles on Nov. 24, said authorities.
Speaking with PEOPLE days after the tragedy, Hannah's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, speculated Ryan experienced a mental health emergency prior to jumping to his death. They also shot down rumors he might have been involved in her disappearance.
"We've been searching tirelessly," said Pidgeon. "I think it just became so overwhelming for him driving the streets, going to Skid Row and seeing where his daughter could possibly have ended up."
Earlier this month, Los Angeles police alleged Hannah willingly cut ties with loved ones and entered Mexico via the San Ysidro crossing in San Diego on Nov. 12, citing surveillance footage.
"We've basically done everything we can do at this point. She's left the country and is in another nation now," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said, adding they moved to classify her as a "voluntary missing person," further refuting suspicions she may have been the victim of foul play, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities were also previously exploring possible claims Hannah might have been the victim of a potential marriage scam.
