Featured Image Credit: NBC4/@midorieve/Instagram
Topics: Mental Health, Los Angeles, California
Joe Yates
Topics: Mental Health, Los Angeles, California
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The dad of missing Hannah Kobayashi has been found dead less than a month into his desperate search for his daughter.
Ryan Kobayashi had flown into Los Angeles where his 30-year-old daughter was last seen after she missed a connecting flight to New York City, where she was due to meet up with her family on November 8 - after departing from Maui in Hawaii.
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The aspiring photographer is understood to have text her friend saying she had had a 'spiritual awakening' and had decided to leave LAX airport and travel into the Californian city.
Hannah was later spotted with an unknown man and three days later, on November 11, her family received texts from her explaining that someone was trying to steal her identity.
Since then her family have not heard from her, although she was spotted boarding the Metro at Pico Station, roughly 10 miles away from the airport, at around 10pm on November 11.
Now, tragically Los Angeles Police Department have confirmed that her father Ryan was found dead in what is believed to have been an apparent suicide while searching for his daughter in Los Angeles, yesterday (November 24) at around 4am.
Just days before his death the 58-year-old was seen handing out missing person flyers and spoke to DailyMail.com.
He said: "We will do everything we can until we have found her. We just need to get the word out there about her.
"She’s a wonderful person who brings joy to so many people."
Hannah, who is still missing, was last seen wearing a tie-dye sweatshirt, a green backpack and black leggings.
Nonprofit organization The RAD Movement, which serves to find missing people in the US and has been working alongside Ryan to find Hannah, has issued a statement from their immediate family.
It read: "The family of Hannah Kobayashi is urgently pleading with the public to maintain focus on the search for her. Hannah IS still actively missing and is believed to be in imminent danger. It is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah.
"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. 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."
It continued: "We kindly ask that you respect the family's privacy during this period. Please refrain from contacting any family members, regardless of any previous connections you may have had. Your understanding and cooperation are greatly appreciated. Allow them the space to grieve and process this significant loss.
"Again, it is the family wish that the public keep the focus on locating and recovering Hannah safely. If you see Hannah, please call 911 immediately. Please obtain a photograph if possible. Your prompt action is crucial. If you’re able to safely keep eyes on her until law enforcement arrives, please do so."
It added: "In accordance with the family's wishes, all information, tips and media inquiries are to be directed via text to (619) 904-0840 or emailed to [email protected].
"The family wants to expressly state that if you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal ideation, they want to encourage you to reach out to the suicide and crisis lifeline: 988"
If you or someone you know is struggling or in a mental health crisis, help is available through Mental Health America. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.