Hannah Kobayashi family feud erupts over money raised to find missing photographer

A family feud has erupted over the money raised to find missing photographer Hannah Kobayashi, as reported by the Daily Record. Three weeks ago, Hannah Kobayashi disappeared during a layover at Los Angeles International Airport, where she was supposed to board a connecting flight to New York. Concerning texts sent by her raised alarms among loved ones. Tragically, her father, Ryan Kobayashi, took his own life after relentlessly searching for her.

Recently, investigators discovered security footage near the US-Mexico border showing Hannah between November 12 and 13, just a day after she disappeared and 11 days before her father’s death. The family is now embroiled in a dispute over how to utilise the $50,000 (£40,000) raised online to aid in the search for Hannah.

The family discord became public when Hannah’s sister, Sydni, criticised her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, who had been giving updates on the search. Sydni expressed that Larie did not represent the family’s views and accused her of seeking attention through media interviews. In response, Larie defended herself, suggesting that Sydni and the family wanted the spotlight for themselves.

Prior to her disappearance, Hannah had mentioned having a spiritual awakening in text messages to a friend. She was also seen with a mysterious man on November 11. Despite the CCTV sighting in Mexico, Sydni remains hopeful, stating that Hannah’s behaviour is uncharacteristic.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Hannah intentionally missed her connecting flight. The investigation remains ongoing, with both the authorities and the family continuing their search efforts. The saga underscores the complexities that can arise in missing person cases, affecting not only the emotional toll on loved ones but also financial considerations related to fundraising efforts.