The search for missing Hawaiian photographer Hannah Kobayashi has taken a devastating twist. Her father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically ended his life on Sunday while in Los Angeles searching for his daughter, who vanished earlier this month. The 58-year-old reportedly jumped from a parking garage at Los Angeles International Airport, overwhelmed by despair and the swirl of conspiracy theories surrounding her disappearance, according to a report by Daily Mail.
Hannah, 30, disappeared on 8 November after missing a connecting flight to New York. Her trip was meant to be a "bucket list" experience, but instead, it has become a heart-wrenching saga that has captivated the internet, leaving her family devastated and grasping for answers.
A Timeline of Tragedy
The Los Angeles County medical examiner ruled Ryan's death a suicide, caused by blunt force trauma. His sister, Larie Pidgeon, believes he was driven to despair by the relentless speculation about Hannah's disappearance. Conspiracy theories about cults, blackmail, and family conflict flooded online forums, deepening his anguish.
"He broke. He died of a broken heart," Pidgeon told The New York Post. "Imagine searching Skid Row, picturing your daughter being trafficked, and not getting any sleep. He just couldn't take it anymore."
Hannah had flown from Maui to Los Angeles with plans to connect to New York, where she was to stay with her aunt. However, she never boarded her second flight. Days later, her family received cryptic text messages from her phone, including one claiming, "Deep Hackers wiped my identity, stole all of my funds, & have had me on a mind f—k since Friday," as reported by CNN.
Cryptic Messages and Online Speculation
The messages from Hannah's phone grew increasingly bizarre. One referenced being tricked into giving away her funds to "someone I thought I loved." Another mentioned a "very intense spiritual awakening." Her aunt believes these messages were either sent under duress or by someone else entirely.
The internet erupted with wild theories, including claims that Hannah had been brainwashed by the Twin Flames cult, a group linked to obsessive relationships and the subject of a Netflix documentary. Others speculated she was blackmailed by hackers or even kidnapped. Some accused her father of being complicit, further inflaming tensions and distress within the family.
Pidgeon dismissed the cult theory, explaining that while Hannah followed Twin Flames-related accounts on Instagram, she never expressed any interest in the group. "People just want to make the story more dramatic," she said in an interview with Daily Mail.
A Father's Determined Search
Ryan travelled to Los Angeles to search for his daughter, spending nearly two weeks distributing missing person flyers and pleading for public help. "We will do everything we can until we find her," he said just days before his death. "She's a wonderful person who brings joy to so many people."
Despite his efforts, the relentless online rumours seemed to take a toll. Pidgeon described him as a "big, giant teddy bear" who was sensitive and deeply affected by the thought of his daughter in danger.
A Loving Family Caught in a Nightmare
Hannah's family described her as a vibrant, talented photographer with a close bond to her relatives. They maintained regular communication, and Pidgeon insists there was no indication of mental distress or family strife before Hannah vanished. "We're the kind of family that, if you mess up, you ask for help," Pidgeon said. "She wouldn't hide anything."
The family believes Hannah was likely abducted while attempting to book a flight at the airport. They remain hopeful but worry that Ryan's death has further fuelled conspiracy theories, complicating the search for the truth. For now, the family clings to hope that Hannah will be found safe, even as they mourn the loss of a father who gave everything to bring his daughter home.
