Hannah Kobayashi was missing for over a month. She's just spoken about it.

In November 2024, Hannah Kobayashi and her boyfriend Amun Miranda had planned a holiday to New York. Hannah, who was an aspiring photographer, had planned to visit her aunt and enjoy the city's renowned art scene, as per NBC News. 

But when Hannah and her boyfriend broke up shortly before the trip — and found themselves unable to get a refund — the two decided to still travel to New York together and part ways once they arrived at the airport. On November 8, they boarded their flight in Maui, and arrived safely in Los Angeles to await a connection. 

But Hannah never boarded her connecting flight. She never made it to New York, and was missing for over a month.

Hannah was found safe on December 11 and crossed back into the US from Mexico on December 12.

On Monday, December 16, Hannah spoke about the ordeal for the first time, sharing a statement.

"My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time," she said in the statement provided to PEOPLE.

The 30-year-old said she didn't know about the media coverage after she went missing.

"I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding," the statement concluded.

Hannah's family has not heard from her since November 11. Image: Instagram/midorieve.

What happened to Hannah Kobayashi?

According to Hannah's sister, Sydni Kobayashi, Hannah's ex boarded the flight to New York alone, while Hannah remained in Los Angeles.

The reason why still remains unclear, but during her time in Los Angeles, Hannah was spotted at The Grove — a popular open air shopping mall — in the background of a photo. She was also seen on surveillance footage at a downtown Los Angeles Metro train station, where she was with an unknown person.

In a major twist, soon footage emerged showing Hannah walking voluntarily across the border into Mexico.

In the video, Hannah, who appeared unharmed, walked through the US/Mexico border in California around noon on November 12, the day after her family reported her missing.

According to the Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell, Hannah did not appear to be being trafficked or a victim of a crime and was declared a "voluntary missing person."

"We've basically done everything we can do at this point. She's left the country and is in another nation now," he said.

He expressed that Hannah had previously mentioned the desire to "step away from modern connectivity" but urged her to contact her family.

It would be a few more weeks before she did.

Strange messages led the family to think she'd been stolen.

Back on November 11, Hannah had texted her family once she had touched down at LAX, but things took a turn when her friends and family began receiving strange messages from her that same evening. 

Sydni recalled Hannah using very uncharacteristic words in her last text messages, including terms like "hun" and "babe".

The messages quickly went from strange to distressing, as Hannah began to express concerns about being hacked and having her money and identity stolen.

According to her sister, Hannah then made a Venmo payment to two people the family didn't recognise.

Sydni recalled Hannah sending some very strange texts before she disappeared. Image: Instagram/midorieve

"Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f**k since Friday," one message read.

"So, our mind is now going to, you know, abduction and, I hate to say the word, but, you know, trafficked," Hannah's aunt, Larie Pidgeon told CNN. 

"Please just give her back to us. No questions asked. Just don't hurt her. Please."

Hannah's father takes his own life.

Hannah's disappearance took a huge emotional toll on her family, some of whom had travelled to New York to help search for her.

On November 25, the LAPD confirmed that Hannah's father, Ryan Kobayashi, had taken his life, as per NBC reports. 

Ryan Kobayashi allegedly took his own life, according to the family. Image: AAP.

"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," the family said in a statement released through a nonprofit group.

"This loss has compounded the family's suffering immeasurably." 

Pidgeon later told CNN that Ryan "died of a broken heart."

Amongst the immeasurable tragedy that Hannah's family has experienced, they continued to encourage people to search for Hannah and find answers. 

"Every step you take, every poster you hang, every message you share, and every act of kindness brings us closer to finding Hannah. We cannot thank you enough for standing by us through this journey," the family said in a statement released by Pidgeon. 

A "love square" and green card marriages.

Friends of Hannah have since come forward and claimed she fled across the border to Mexico as she was caught up in an elaborate immigration scam involving her ex-boyfriend and a couple from Argentina.

According to the Daily Mail, Hannah was travelling to New York with her ex-boyfriend and another couple, Alan Cacace and Marianne.

Friends claim Alan was Hannah's green card husband and Marianne Amun's green card wife (and Alan's actual girlfriend).

Alan allegedly paid Hannah $US15,000 for the sham marriage and promised another $US15,000 once the immigration documents that allowed him to stay in the US were issued, per the Mail.

Hannah and Alan reportedly tied the knot in October. And while Hannah and Amun had planned to travel to New York as a couple, it ended up becoming a group trip.

Reportedly, Alan wanted them to visit New York City to take pictures at iconic tourist spots such as the Empire State Building to persuade immigration officials their marriage was for real. Hannah wasn't so stoked about having the couple on the trip, but reportedly agreed to sacrifice one day to take photos.

The Mail reports Hannah had mixed emotions about the trip and there were also issues between Hannah and Marianne, who friends say grew jealous of Hannah marrying her boyfriend Alan.

"There was no secret. She told us about her plans," Hannah's co-worker Desiree told the Mail.

"The Argentinian couple wanted to hop on the trip at the last minute because it presented an opportunity for photos of their 'romantic vacation'."

Hannah was reportedly involved in an immigration scam. Image: Instagram/midorieve

Days after Hannah was reported missing by her family, her friends started questioning the group to find out what happened in New York.

Desiree contacted Amun, who she had known since school, and told him people were looking for Hannah saying it "all seems very sus". She said Amun should have told Hannah's family when she failed to get on the connecting flight. However, Amun said it wasn't his job.

He also defended Hannah's green card husband and said he had "nothing to do" with Hannah's disappearance.

"Her husband is sweet and just a lil guy and wouldn't hurt a fly," he said in a message, per the Mail.

A lawyer representing Hannah's family told the New York Post that Hannah never told her family she was married and there was no concrete proof of the marriage.

Details surrounding Hannah's disappearance have not yet been confirmed by police.

Hannah is found.

Hannah was declared "found safe" on Wednesday, December 11.

"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," her sister and mother, Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee, said in a statement to People through their attorney, Sara Azari.

"This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we take the time to heal and process everything we have been through," the family continued.

"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," Hannah's sister and mother added.

The attorney did not elaborate how Hannah made contact with her family, but did say that no further statements would be forthcoming.

Lt. Doug Oldfield, with the L.A. police's missing persons unit told the publication that authorities had been briefed by the attorney as well.

He said, "We have not seen her and at this point we have no reason to compel her to see us.

"It's a big news story so she may decide to come with a lawyer, but she is not obligated to speak to us. We'll see what happens next."

At this point she had not crossed back to the US, and wouldn't be considered a 'missing person' until she did.

"When she crosses back, she'll show as a missing person," Oldfield says. "We usually want law enforcement to determine a person is safe and make contact — in this case CBP could provide us with that info to take her out of the system."

She 'crossed back' to the US on December 12, with Lt. Oldfield saying that she "presented herself for entry into the U.S.," and "appeared to be in good health". Additionally, she "did not appear to be under any distress."

According to her sisters, Hannah had no history of mental illness or addiction. The reasons for her disappearance remain unexplained.

L.A. Police Chief Jim McDonnell said, "She has a right to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand that the concern her loved ones feel for her."

Feature image: Instagram/midorieve.