Missing Hawaii Photographer’s Sister Casts Doubt on Claims of Safe Return.
In a surprising turn of events, the family of missing Hawaii photographer Hannah Kobayashi is now disputing the earlier reports that she has been found safe in Mexico.
Just days after the family announced that Hannah had been “found safe,” her sister, Sydni Kobayashi, has taken to social media to reveal that they have not actually physically seen or verified her whereabouts.
In a candid Facebook post, Sydni stated that the family only knows Hannah is somewhere in Mexico, but they have no “actual proof of where she is.” She added that Hannah “does not wish to return to us” at this time.
Sydni’s revelation raises significant questions about the circumstances surrounding Hannah’s alleged discovery and the family’s handling of the high-profile missing person case.
The Kobayashi family has been through an immense ordeal over the past month, with Sydni describing the “physical, mental, and emotional toll” it has taken on them. The tragedy was compounded by the reported suicide of their father, Ryan Kobayashi, during the search for Hannah.
Sydni also leveled accusations against her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, who she says “became the self-appointed point of contact for the media” and refused to respect the family’s wishes, leading to a “media circus” that the family did not want.
“Our priority was finding Hannah, not creating a media circus,” Sydni wrote, noting that she and her mother had repeatedly asked Larie to tone down her public presence and interviews.
The family’s GoFundMe campaign, launched to aid in the search for Hannah, has now been shut down, with donors given the option to request refunds by December 18th.
Sydni concluded her Facebook post by acknowledging the “mixed and overwhelming feelings of exhaustion, devastation, and betrayal” the family is experiencing. She expressed hope that the “truth will surface” and the family will get the answers they deserve.
