Hannah Kobayashi, a 30-year-old aspiring photographer, has recently been reported missing under unsettling circumstances possibly related to an alleged marriage scam. Just days before her disappearance, she arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8 alongside her purported husband, Alan Cacace, an Argentinian national, and his girlfriend, Marianna. According to sources from Los Angeles Magazine, Kobayashi might have fallen victim to a scheme involving a fake marriage aimed at securing a green card. Details of her situation indicate that she could have been emotionally and financially manipulated in this alleged scam, leaving her vulnerable just before her last-known sighting crossing into Mexico.
Kobayashi’s family became aware of troubling immigration-related documents at her home in Hawaii, which suggested her involvement with an immigration attorney. This discovery prompted her mother, Brandi Yee, to attempt contact with the lawyer, though her efforts were reportedly met with resistance. In a bid to assist in the investigation, Yee provided the documents to law enforcement agencies, including both the FBI and LAPD. The family’s attorney, Sara Azari, emphasized that they had not previously revealed any details regarding the alleged marriage due to the lack of concrete evidence and urged caution against speculative gossip that could further complicate the search for Kobayashi.
Prior to her disappearance, Kobayashi sent cryptic messages to her friends, describing a “very intense spiritual awakening” and expressing feelings of having been deceived, saying she had been tricked into giving away her financial resources. In her communications, she indicated distress over being misled by someone she thought she loved, suggesting a deep emotional turmoil that may have contributed to her decision to leave. These messages highlighted that her situation may have been more complex and fraught with emotional pain than it initially appeared.
Adding to the mystery, surveillance footage captured her purchasing a ticket to Mexico and walking across the border, an act that raised alarm within her family. After missing a connecting flight at LAX on November 11, she officially became a missing person, prompting a serious investigation from the Los Angeles police. They reviewed extensive surveillance footage and interviewed several witnesses who corroborated her activities leading up to her crossing the border into Mexico. This investigation led police to classify her as a “voluntary missing person,” speculating that she might have willingly left to escape her current reality.
The LAPD has since declared that they have exhausted their resources looking for Kobayashi within the U.S. and will not extend their investigation into Mexico, citing her voluntary departure. Despite acknowledging that her crossing into Mexico appears deliberate and without signs of trafficking or criminal involvement, the police have emphasized that anyone with credible information regarding her whereabouts should come forward. The nature of Mexico as a dual-faceted destination—offering both serene getaway experiences and the lurking dangers of organized crime—adds ambiguity to the circumstances of her disappearance.
Despite the declaration from law enforcement, Kobayashi’s family remains firm in their belief that the search must continue, expressing hope for her safe return. The family’s statement conveys both resilience and urgency, urging the public to remain vigilant and supportive in uncovering Hannah’s fate. Their unwavering determination underscores the emotional weight of this case, inviting the community to participate in the search and maintain awareness amid abounding uncertainties surrounding her situation.
