The case of 30-year-old photographer Hannah Kobayashi, from Hawaii, has just taken an ominous turn as her family delves deeper into allegations of “secret marriage” and involvement in immigration visa fraud. This probe comes after the girl mysteriously disappeared the day after flying from Maui to Los Angeles and was last seen crossing into Mexico on November 12, 2024. Police have, however, not produced any proof of any crime linked to Kobayashi.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell was quoted by the People Magazine, stating:
“At this point, we have not been able to determine any crime has been committed. To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. She's also not a suspect in any criminal activity.”
A report by Los Angeles Magazine titled: “Did Hannah Kobayashi Secretly Marry for Money?” stated that Kobayashi may have secretly married an Argentine individual named Alan Cacace. The magazine reported, according to its sources,
“Kobayashi was apparently scammed out of the proceeds of a purported immigration scheme.”
Sara Azari, the family’s lawyer, told ABC7’s Eyewitness News that narratives about the marriage were received through social media and internet tips, which were forwarded to the police immediately.
Kobayashi’s mother reportedly found immigration paperwork that suggested this could indeed be a con. According to Los Angeles Magazine, these documents have since been handed over to the FBI as part of the investigation.
However, the family has not approved any information on the said marriage because no confirmation and legal documents can support those stories. Sara Azari told People Magazine:
“We want to stress that the family has not publicly announced any information regarding an alleged marriage because we did not have the facts or the necessary documents to verify the legitimacy of this information.”
Background of the Hannah Kobayashi case
Hannah Kobayashi was supposed to fly to New York City, but on November 8, she missed her flight from Los Angeles International Airport. After that, her family got threatening text messages from her phone but didn’t hear from her directly. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has described it as a voluntary disappearance as there is no proof of any criminal activity tied to her disappearance.
Family's response and ongoing investigation
Kobayashi’s family has released statements urging people not to make conclusions or share non-confirmed rumors hastily. They said that they would follow up on any lead with the help of the legal counsel and repeated they were concerned for her wellbeing. Kobayashi's aunt Larie Pidgeon told in a statement to Eyewitness News:
"I and my family have parted ways at this point... My only goal is to make sure Hannah is safe and doing this on her own accord".
Azari pointed out that the family is engaging in many ways to find Hannah and has provided all the details to the police.
The LAPD has stated knowledge of the allegations but denies their impact on their investigation into Kobayashi’s disappearance. They keep on emphasizing that there is no data to support the claim that she is a victim of trafficking or any other crime.
Developments in Hannah Kobayashi's case
Meanwhile, things have taken a tragic turn. Ryan Kobayashi, Hannah’s father, took his own life amid the search for his daughter.
On December 2, police told People Magazine in a statement that they recently reviewed a video and found that she flew to Tijuana, Mexico, on November 12.
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“She was alone with her luggage and appeared unharmed,” McDonnell said.
“We urge Ms. Kobayashi to contact her family, law enforcement or personnel at the U.S. Embassy to let us know that she is safe,” he said. “She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her. A simple message could reassure those who care about her.”
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