The dramatic disappearance of 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi, a resident of Maui, Hawaii, has unravelled into a tale of deception, love triangles, and immigration fraud.
What initially appeared to be a tragic missing persons case has been exposed as a sham Green Card marriage involving multiple parties, with devastating consequences for her family.
A Web of Deception
Hannah Kobayashi reportedly vanished on 8 November, shortly after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) en route to New York City. Days later, cryptic text messages sent to her family heightened fears for her safety.
Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew to Los Angeles to assist in the search but tragically died by suicide days after her disappearance.
Now, details have emerged showing that Kobayashi knowingly left the airport and crossed the border into Mexico. According to reports, her disappearance was part of an elaborate plan to facilitate a Green Card scam involving her Argentinian "husband," Alan Cacace.
Their union, formalised in October, was reportedly a ruse to convince immigration officials that their marriage was genuine.
In exchange for her cooperation, Kobayashi was allegedly promised £12,000 ($15,000) upfront, with another £12,000 to follow once the immigration documents were approved.
The 'Love Square' Takes Flight
Kobayashi wasn't travelling alone. Accompanying her were Cacace, his real girlfriend Marianne, and Kobayashi's ex-boyfriend, Amun Miranda.
The convoluted relationships between the four have been described as a "love square."
Marianne and Miranda had also entered into a fake marriage as part of the scheme, making the group dynamic even more complicated.
Coworkers at Up 'N Smoke, a Maui-based smoke shop where Kobayashi worked, said she openly discussed her arrangement with Cacace, viewing it as a financial opportunity.
However, tensions ran high during the trip, with Kobayashi expressing frustration about sharing her holiday with her ex-boyfriend and Cacace's girlfriend.
Marianne reportedly harboured jealousy over Kobayashi's proximity to Cacace, despite the arrangement being purely transactional.
A Vacation Turned Scandal
The group's plan involved taking staged photos in iconic New York locations, such as Central Park and the Statue of Liberty, to bolster the appearance of a genuine relationship between Kobayashi and Cacace.
These photos were intended to serve as evidence for immigration authorities. Despite the careful planning, Kobayashi abruptly abandoned the scheme and walked out of LAX, later crossing the border into Tijuana on foot.
Her disappearance triggered widespread concern, leading her family to launch a GoFundMe campaign to aid the search efforts.
The fundraiser raised over £37,000 ($47,000) before it was revealed that she had left voluntarily. In a message to donors, her family announced they would honour refund requests submitted by 18 December.
Family Devastation and Fallout
The ordeal has had a profound impact on Kobayashi's family. Her father's suicide near LAX underscored the tragic toll of her disappearance.
In a statement released after she contacted them to confirm her safety, the family said:
"We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe. This past month has been an unimaginable ordeal for our family, and we kindly ask for privacy as we heal and process everything we have been through."
Revelations of a Green Card Scam
Further investigation revealed that the marriage between Kobayashi and Cacace was not a well-kept secret. According to coworkers, she had openly discussed her plans and even offered to help others participate in similar schemes.
One coworker, Desiree, described her initial curiosity about the process but ultimately declined, stating: "It's not worth risking jail for £24,000 ($30,000)."
The fraudulent nature of the marriage became evident when Kobayashi's family and friends began piecing together the events leading to her disappearance.
Surveillance footage confirmed her crossing into Mexico on 12 or 13 November, days after she left LAX. Police subsequently closed the missing persons investigation, deeming her a "voluntary missing" individual.
A Community in Shock
In Maui, Kobayashi was known as a vibrant, free-spirited individual who enjoyed beach gatherings and fire twirling. Her coworkers described her as hardworking and reliable, with a penchant for travelling and exploring new places.
However, rumours of her drug use and turbulent personal relationships added complexity to the narrative of her disappearance.
While Kobayashi's return has brought relief to her family, her involvement in the Green Card scam raises legal questions.
Immigration fraud is a serious offence in the United States, carrying penalties that can include fines, imprisonment, and deportation for foreign nationals involved.
Alan Cacace and Marianne, the Argentinian couple at the centre of the scheme, have remained out of reach since the revelations.
Meanwhile, Kobayashi's ex-boyfriend, Amun Miranda, has reportedly returned to Maui but is avoiding public attention.
