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.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer??, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

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

Recent Posts

Kate Middleton Wore a Crossbody Bag with a Long Coat ArticlePure

Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear…

8 hours ago

Rachael Kirkconnell Told Ex Matt James to Stop Checking on Her After Breakup ArticlePure

Rachael Kirkconnell is starting to set some boundaries with ex Matt James. While sitting down…

16 hours ago

Will Ferrell’s Son Magnus Reveals How His Dad Got His Song Into ‘You’re Cordially Invited’ (Exclusive) ArticlePure

Will Ferrell and Reese Witherspoon's latest film, You're Cordially Invited, is a family affair on and off screen!…

1 day ago

Caroline Kennedy Alleges Her Cousin RFK Jr. Put Mice in Blenders and Worse ArticlePure

One day before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. begins his Department of Health and Human Services…

1 day ago

Sterling K. Brown Had a Warrant Out for His Arrest at 19 Without His Knowledge ArticlePure

Even Sterling K. Brown is not without his fair share of wild teenage stories. The…

2 days ago

Justin Baldoni Tells Blake Lively He’s a ‘Flawed Man’ and ‘Fell Short’ in Apology Voice Note Leaked amid Legal Battle ArticlePure

Justin Baldoni apologized to Blake Lively after the two discussed changes she made to an…

2 days ago