Family concerned as footage emerges of woman who went missing from airport after sending alarming texts

A concerning clue has come to light during the investigation into Hannah Kobayashi's disappearance

Family concerned as footage emerges of woman who went missing from airport after sending alarming texts

The family of a missing woman who vanished en route to a 'bucket list' trip said they are 'extremely' concerned for her welfare after new footage of her final known movements emerged.

Hannah Kobayashi, 31, disappeared in the middle of her journey to New York from her home on the Hawaiian island of Maui, and has not been heard from since 10 November.

She first flew to Los Angeles on November 8, where she was supposed to pick up a connecting flight to the Big Apple the following day - however, she never boarded the plane.

Hannah's frantic mother, Brandi Yee, explained that her daughter had planned to meet up with her aunt in the US city while ticking off one of her 'bucket list' destinations, but she didn't turn up.

Her relatives reported her missing on 10 November and have not heard from her since then.

More than a week on, her family said they are becoming increasingly worried about Hannah's whereabouts, especially now new CCTV footage of her has emerged.

According to Hannah's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, the 31-year-old was picked up on surveillance cameras in downtown LA near a Metro station on 11 November with an unidentified person.

Larie says she was accompanied by an unknown individual and did 'not appear to be in good condition'.

Hannah Kobayashi, 31, disappeared after arriving in Los Angeles (Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook)
Hannah Kobayashi, 31, disappeared after arriving in Los Angeles (Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook)

Speaking to the New York Post, the aunt explained that the footage had caused 'major alarm' for Hannah's loved ones and also 'kind of solidified the family’s suspicion that something has been awry'.

"It has made us extremely worried," Larie said.

The relative also told KTLA 5: "She is not safe, and she is not alone."

The development has only exacerbated the fears of Hannah's family, as she had also sent a series of concerning texts to people before vanishing.

In one message to a friend, the missing Maui woman said she had 'got tricked into pretty much giving away all my funds'.

Another saw Hannah explain she had been fooled by 'someone she thought she loved', while a third read: "Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday."

Her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, claims that the texts are 'really weird' and unlike Hannah.

She told HawaiiNewsNow: "I personally don’t think that was my sister. It’s weird to me because it doesn’t sound like her, like there’s just something off about it...I don’t know if it’s her or if someone else was texting."

Her family are desperately trying to track her down (ABC7)
Her family are desperately trying to track her down (ABC7)

Larie also explained that the family do not have any connections in LA, adding: "She knows no one in LA. Our entire family knows no one in LA.

"We try not to think the worst. We’re trying to keep hope alive...but our mind is now going to abduction and, I hate to say the word but, trafficked.

"We’re doing the best that we can, but the family at this point is now, we’re having to come to the reality that those things could be a possibility."

Hannah's phone has been switched off since 11 November, her family claim.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that an investigation into her disappearance has been launched and that the FBI are assisting with the probe.

But Syndi says authorities have 'not been much help' so far, while Larie said that Hannah's relatives are 'doing their own investigation on the ground'.

They hope that this might 'put a little bit more pressure on [the police] to do as much as the family’s doing', especially in the wake of the emergence of the new CCTV footage.

Hannah is described as being 5ft 10ins and around 140lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, fair skin and freckles.

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