Topics: GoFundMe, Money, US News, World News, Mental Health, Los Angeles
Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.
The GoFundMe for Hannah Kobayashi has shared a message with donors following her being found safe after going missing for a month.
On November 8, Hannah Kobayashi, 30, didn't show up to her connected flight from Los Angeles to New York and after her family received texts claiming someone was trying to steal her identity, they grew concerned and reported her missing.
A search began for aspiring photographer, Kobayashi's father Ryan Kobayashi flying from Maui, Hawaii to LA - later passing away in what is believed to be a suicide - and a GoFundMe was started to raise money to help find Hannah alongside pay for her father's funeral expenses.
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Shortly after she was reported missing, Hannah's sister Syndi Kobayashi started a fundraiser.
The GoFundMe's original post stated: "While the community support have been truly astonishing, the scope and intensity of the search are expanding, and so are the expenses with them. We still have not even been able to get any answers from LAPD or LAX and feel we need to continue to push harder to expedite the process.
"We are raising money to support the continuing mission to bring Hannah home."
Hannah has since been found safe, the LAPD calling her disappearance 'voluntary' after she was spotted crossing the border into Mexico on foot.
The Kobayashi family released a statement on Twitter via their attorney saying how 'relieved and grateful' they were to find Hannah 'safe'.
And the family has since taken to the GoFundMe to address what will happen to the donations raised - standing at $46,481.
In an update on December 4, Hannah's sister thanked everyone for the support, explaining the donations 'helped pay for food hydration for the search teams, most of whom have been volunteers; transportation for our family and critical support team; communication devices and technology for an extensive search area with no cell phone service; a media campaign to maximize awareness of Hannah’s case and how to get in touch with the appropriate authorities; temporary accommodations for essential personnel; and on-site support for our family members'.
She added: "As my late father’s next of kin, I’m solely responsible for costs associated with his passing and funeral. Your donations will also help me pay for our father’s funeral expenses."
In light of Hannah's disappearance being called 'voluntary' by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, Sydni added the family remained 'extremely concerned' for Hannah as the behavior wasn't 'aligned' with her 'character' and so the family had decided to 'hire an attorney and a private investigator' alongside using 'legal and investigative services in Mexico in order to locate Hannah'.
"In addition to the expenses associated with our continued search efforts, we now also anticipate significant legal costs and expenses as we continue our search for Hannah," she added.
However, the fundraiser has since revealed it would be 'turning donations off' in an update shared yesterday (December 12).
The update reads: "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family.
"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.
"We are turning donations off, and any donor who would like a refund can submit a claim by December 18th, and it will be honored."
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.
