Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Hannah Kobayashi/CNN
Topics: World News, Travel, Parenting, Mental Health
Poppy Bilderbeck
Topics: World News, Travel, Parenting, Mental Health
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
A family member of missing Hannah Kobayashi has spoken out after her father Ryan died while searching for his daughter.
Hannah Kobayashi failed to board her connecting flight taking off from Los Angeles International Airport to New York City on November 8 and was last heard from on November 11.
The 30-year-old's loved ones from Hawaii - including her father, Ryan Kobayashi - immediately rushed to LA to search for her, however, her dad was found having died by suicide on Sunday (November 24).
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Ryan traveled to Los Angeles to join search efforts to find his daughter, the dad noting to CNN the pair hadn't 'had contact for a while' but he was 'just trying to make up' for it and 'get her back'.
However, on Sunday at around 4:00pm, the LAPD confirmed to CNN his body was found on West Century Boulevard.
Hannah's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, told the Mail Online Ryan 'died of a broken heart' and opened up about the 'tragedy' of his death.
Larie said the father had been 'searching for 11 days' and was running on 'very minimal sleep' only getting about '30 minutes sleep-a-night'.
She continued: "We believe as the days continued to pass it became too much for him to bear and he took his own life. None of us saw it coming."
Despite Ryan not being 'there' for Hannah while she was growing up, Larie said the dad 'was there for her when it mattered' and 'came' to LA 'when it mattered'. ""Ryan is one of the kindest, most sensitive men that you’ve ever met. He’s a teddy bear," she added.
The family has now 'suffered two tragedies' but Larie said they're doing their 'best to stay strong' despite being at 'breaking point,' urging people to keep sharing their story.
And an official statement from the whole 'immediate' family of Hannah has been released too with an urgent message for members of the public.
The RAD Movement shared the statement to Facebook, emphasizing: "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."
It confirmed Ryan 'tragically took his own life' and the loss has 'compounded the family's suffering immeasurably' but what they're asking for 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 added. "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."
The post resolves the family want the public to '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.
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."
A GoFundMe has since been set up to support Ryan's fiancée
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.