Categories: News

Cause of Death Confirmed for Hannah Kobayashi’s Dad ArticlePure

Ryan Kobayashi, the father of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi died by suicide, according to the L.A. County medical examiner. He was 58. 

His cause of death was multiple blunt force traumatic injuries, according to the medical examiner report reviewed by PEOPLE. The location of his death was listed as a parking lot.

Officials stated that Ryan, who traveled to Los Angeles to look for his daughter, died in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Sunday, Nov. 24, two weeks after Hannah went missing.

A spokesman previously told PEOPLE that law enforcement was called to the area for “an apparent suicide.”

Speaking with PEOPLE on Monday, Nov. 25, Hannah’s aunt and Ryan’s former sister-in-law said that the family believed he had a mental health emergency.

“We’ve been searching tirelessly,” said Larie Pidgeon, 45. “I think it just became so overwhelming for him driving the streets, going to Skid Row and seeing where his daughter could possibly have ended up.”

Hannah Kobayashi.

LAPD


She added that the family wanted to dispel any rumors that he had anything to do with his daughter’s disappearance and said they did not believe he was lured to his death.”

In a GoFundMe set up for Li, Ryan’s fiancée, niece Emi Ko wrote, “He has been living his absolute worst nightmare, since Hannah’s disappearance, and now, with his passing, our family is grappling with unimaginable grief.”

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Pidgeon previously told PEOPLE that 30-year-old Hannah had left Maui on Nov. 8 and was supposed to make a connecting flight to New York City at LAX, but missed it because of her tight layover.

She said Hannah had contacted another aunt, Geordan Montalvo, and told her she missed her flight and was trying to rebook.

Hannah Kobayashi.

LAPD


The family said they have confirmed sightings of Hannah at the airport the following day — but started to receive concerning messages from her on Nov. 11.

Hannah’s last pinned location was at LAX around 4 p.m. local time on Nov. 11, Pidgeon told PEOPLE. That day, the family got a confirmed sighting of Hannah and an unidentified person getting on the train, but she hasn’t been seen since reportedly exiting at Pico Station.

Following Ryan’s death, Pidgeon told PEOPLE the family will keep searching for Hannah. “We’re still here,” she said. “We’re a family doing the best we can now with two tragedies.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.

Varshil

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