On Saturday, November 30, a statement issued by Hannah’s family, as reported by ABC27-WHTM, meticulously outlined the known facts regarding her case. The family expressed concern over the LAPD’s assertions, emphasizing that they were unaware of the police’s claims until they viewed the video footage from the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting, which they found troubling and misleading.

In their public statement, the family firmly rejected the idea that Hannah had deliberately missed her flight. They clarified that they only became aware of the LAPD’s statements during the police commission meeting and were disturbed by the lack of prior communication from law enforcement. This situation has raised significant concerns regarding the transparency of the investigation and the family’s involvement in the ongoing search for Hannah.

Moreover, the family expressed frustration that the LAPD had not communicated their findings directly to them. The statement highlighted that these alleged discoveries had not been formally shared with either Hannah’s mother or herself by Chief Jim McDonnell or any detectives involved in the case, thereby amplifying the family’s distress and concerns regarding the investigation’s conduct.

The family also pointed out that the police commission, which is comprised of five civilians with no direct involvement in Hannah’s case, may not fully understand the nuances of the investigation, which could lead to misinterpretations of the facts surrounding Hannah’s disappearance.

The family further identified specific inaccuracies in the LAPD’s report, including the erroneous age of Hannah, reported as 23 instead of her actual age of 30, as well as the incorrect date of her disappearance, which was stated to be November 13 instead of the accurate date of November 11. These discrepancies raise serious questions about the thoroughness and accuracy of the LAPD’s investigation into her case.

“The lack of communication surrounding critical details has left us feeling excluded from potentially vital developments,” the family stated. Despite their frustrations, they remain hopeful and optimistic, expressing their belief that the LAPD is doing everything possible to assist in the search for Hannah while also emphasizing the need for more transparency in the investigation process.

The family reiterated their conviction that something has indeed happened to Hannah. “It’s completely out of character for Hannah to simply vanish without a trace,” they declared. Their ongoing concerns revolve around Hannah’s safety, well-being, and mental state, which they fear may be compromised due to her current circumstances.

“Our hearts go out to the Kobayashi family during this unimaginable time of grief,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated on November 26 at a meeting of the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, as reported by USA Today. “We remain fully committed to finding Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate this tragic situation.”

Regarding the current status of the investigation, McDonnell informed the commissioners that “On Friday, November 8, 23-year-old Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation has determined was an intentional act.” This assertion has been met with skepticism by Hannah’s family, who question the validity of the findings.

Hannah’s cellphone was last pinged at LAX three days after her missed flight, indicating that she, or at least her phone, was present at the airport on November 11. This detail raises further questions about her whereabouts and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

That was also the last time the family heard from Hannah via text messages, which were described as “alarming” by her sister. These messages seemed inconsistent with Hannah’s typical style of communication, leading her sister to suspect that someone might have been controlling her during that time.

In conversations with The New York Post, Hannah’s friends echoed her sister’s concerns, noting that Hannah typically incorporates emojis in her texts, which were notably absent from her recent messages. “She has a very distinct way of messaging,” highlighted her friend Ariana Ursua, raising red flags regarding her communication style.

“On November 15, our missing persons unit assumed investigative responsibility,” McDonnell informed the commissioners. “Detectives have been diligently reviewing video surveillance and employing various investigative methods to locate Hannah, showcasing their commitment to the case.

In recognition of the family’s ongoing “personal search efforts,” McDonnell reassured the commissioners that his investigators “remain fully dedicated to finding Hannah,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and the family in this critical search.

Hannah’s last text messages were sent three days after she missed her connecting flight. Surveillance footage confirmed her presence at LAX on November 8 and later at a bookstore approximately an hour away the following day. These sightings have been crucial in piecing together the timeline of her disappearance.

In one of her final messages, Hannah informed a friend that she had “been tricked into basically giving away all my money.” This was followed by a subsequent text indicating that she was misled “by someone I thought I loved.” These alarming messages have raised serious concerns regarding her mental state and the potential influence of others in her life.

“This is completely out of character for my sister,” Hannah’s sister Sydni expressed to NewsNation during a recent interview. “Knowing her intuitively and having been so close to her my entire life, I just know this is absolutely not like her.” Her sister’s unwavering belief underscores the family’s conviction that Hannah is in danger.

“Especially given the text messages she sent, it feels like someone was controlling her or it might not even have been her sending those messages,” she added, maintaining hope that her sister is still alive and could be found.

The two messages were sent just before Hannah’s phone was turned off, adding to the mystery surrounding her disappearance and raising questions about who had access to her device at that time.

Her friend Ariana further mentioned to The New York Post that Hannah would typically make it known in her messages if she were acting of her own volition. “I have always felt I could rely on her—she’s genuinely one of the most caring people I know,” she stated. “If it were voluntary [that she went missing], she would have made it clear in her messages.”

“I don’t feel like it’s her to make people worried. She wouldn’t just ghost out of nowhere. Usually at parties, she’s the one who ensures she says goodbye to her friend,” she noted, illustrating Hannah’s considerate nature and the strong bonds she maintains with her friends. They had even been discussing attending Burning Man in 2025 and were excited about visiting New York in the fall.

On November 10, just two days after missing her flight, Kobayashi was seen in a YouTube video at the LeBron XXII Trial event at the Nike store in The Grove. She also shared a photo of herself on Instagram, reinforcing the timeline of her movements during this critical period.

The family disclosed to The New York Post that they had obtained surveillance footage showing Kobayashi in downtown Los Angeles, where she was seen with an unidentified individual near the Pico Metro station on November 11. This sighting is critical as it may provide leads regarding her current whereabouts and the circumstances of her disappearance.

On that same day, she sent a text to her mother explaining that she did not make it to New York. In another message to a friend, she claimed, “Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f—k since Friday.” This alarming message raised significant concerns regarding Hannah’s mental state and potential threats to her safety.

Another message read, “I’m just really scared love & the redwoods if calling me & I know I’m meant to be there, I’m being guided there, like you have before … I risk my freedom if this goes wrong for me hun.” This message indicates a state of distress and may point to deeper issues Hannah was grappling with at the time.

To the aunt she was supposed to stay with in New York, Hannah sent a message stating, “I just finished a very intense spiritual awakening. I’m charging my phone & heading back to the airport to get to NYC. I would need some help getting there, it’s a long story. I’ll keep you posted. I think I still have my hotel room.” This message hints at her mental state and the challenges she faced during this period.