Hannah Kobayashi has spoken out for the first time since she returned to the United States after she mysteriously disappeared into Mexico. The 31-year-old aspiring photographer claimed she was completely 'unaware' of the media coverage surrounding her disappearance last month, and her father's death by suicide amidst the search.
![[Kobayashi said she was completely unaware of the media coverage of her case]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93208117-14198943-image-m-43_1734380103705.jpg)
She also confirmed she is now back in the States, saying: 'At daybreak on December 15, I crossed the border back into the United States. 'My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity,' she said. 'I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.
![[While she was missing, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life by reportedly jumping from a building structure near LAX after traveling to California to help authorities look for her]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93207367-14198943-image-a-21_1734378397012.jpg)
'I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing,' Kobayashi added. 'I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family and my loves ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding.'.
![[The Hawaii woman, 31, made contact with relatives on Wednesday to tell them that she was fine after disappearing from Los Angeles International Airport in November]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/19/93060181-14198943-Kobayashi_was_caught_on_camera_at_LAX_airport_three_days_before_-a-18_1734378205203.jpg)
Kobayashi crossed the Mexico border into California over the weekend, where she was questioned by US officials who asked if she was OK, a source told TMZ. She appeared to be healthy as she met with her lawyer at the border before leaving with him, and has since been reunited with her family.
![[Amun Miranda had dated Kobayashi for two years before he caught her meeting up with her DJ ex and broke up with her in August, but the pair still decided to go ahead with the New York trip]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/17/04/93060105-14200123-Amun_Miranda_had_dated_Kobayashi_for_two_years_before_he_caught_-a-6_1734408737476.jpg)
Hannah Kobayashi, right, has returned to the United States and reunited with her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, left. Lt. Doug Oldfield, a member of the Los Angeles Police Department's missing persons unit, has now confirmed that her case is closed. He added that she spoke with Customs and Border Protection and 'did not appear to be under any distress.'.
![[Earlier this month, the LAPD reported that Kobayashi had crossed voluntarily into Mexico but her family continued contradicting police in public statements, saying they still did not know whether she was safe]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/16/20/93207805-14198943-image-a-28_1734379410989.jpg)
