Police claim that Hannah Kobayashi intentionally missed her Los Angeles flight, while her family says there is evidence to the contrary.

The Los Angeles Police Department's assertion in the investigation of Hannah Kobayashi, a Hawaii woman who disappeared more than two weeks ago, is disputed by her family members.

The 30-year-old resident of Oahu, Hawaii, who planned a vacation to see her aunt in New York City, flew from Maui to Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8. Her aunt had previously informed Planet Chronicle Digital that she was scheduled to take a connecting flight to New York, with a 42-minute layover at 11 a.m. However, she never boarded that flight, and her family is uncertain about the reason behind it.

Despite having a detailed itinerary and a booked hotel room in New York City, Kobayashi did not board a flight on Nov. 11. Her family reported her missing after receiving a flurry of strange text messages and a cutoff of communication.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stated at a Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners meeting on Tuesday that detectives concluded the photographer intentionally missed her connecting flight.

On Friday, November 8th, 23-year-old Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation determined was intentional, according to McDonnell.

"Our missing persons unit took on investigative responsibility on November 15th. Detectives have been meticulously examining video surveillance and utilizing various investigative methods to find Hannah, while her family has persistently continued their own search efforts. The authorities remain steadfast in their commitment to locating Hannah."

The Kobayashi family was unaware of any developments in the department's investigation until they received footage of McDonnell's speech. In a social media statement, Sydni Kobayashi disputed that her sister missed her flight intentionally and pointed out inaccuracies in McDonnell's timeline of events.

Based on the information, surveillance footage reviewed, and information shared with us, it is known to my mother and me that Hannah did not intentionally miss her flight.

"The absence of communication regarding significant information has made us feel excluded from significant advancements," the statement stated. "The unconfirmed results have not been communicated to my mother and me directly by the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department or any detective involved in Hannah's case."

Last week, Kobayashi's family stated that the LAPD has reason to believe she is still in Los Angeles. However, the LAPD could not be reached for comment.

Nevertheless, we are hopeful and optimistic that the Los Angeles Police Department is exerting their utmost efforts to help us find Hannah, her sister added.

On November 11, Kobayashi's mother reported her missing after communications from her phone to family and friends stopped. According to Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi's aunt, the family discovered surveillance footage of Kobayashi near the Pico Metro station in downtown L.A. with an unknown man.

"Pidgeon stated that the Pico station is located in a dangerous neighborhood, which is even more concerning because it's not a place where Hannah would typically go. The area has a high crime rate, making it unsuitable for her to visit. Even if she needed to stay in a hotel, there are 18 hotels near the airport, and she could easily access them without having to go through the Pico station."

On Nov. 10, a photograph of the photographer was posted on social media by another person at The Grove shopping complex. The next day, she charged her phone with an employee at the same complex and submitted an application for a book club at the TASCHEN book store using her Hawaii address, her aunt stated.

According to witnesses, Kobayashi was in good spirits and had some time to explore in L.A., as stated by Pidgeon.

But since Nov. 11, there have been no new clues.

Ryan Kobayashi, a 58-year-old man, was discovered dead after jumping from a parking structure in an apparent suicide at around 4 a.m. on Nov. 24, according to the LAPD's confirmation to Planet Chronicle Digital.

McDonnell stated at the Board of Police Commissioner's meeting that the department remains fully committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate through this tragedy.

Although another tragedy struck the family, Kobayashi's aunt stated to Planet Chronicle Digital last week that they are "clinging by a thread but will not surrender."

The RAD Movement hotline at 619-904-0840 is being requested for anyone with information by Kobayashi's family.