Hannah Kobayashi’s family reacts to rumors about a potential secret wedding

LOS ANGELES — The family of Hannah Kobayashi, a woman from Hawaii who disappeared after arriving in Los Angeles almost a month ago, is addressing allegations suggesting she might have participated in a hidden marriage.

In a lengthy statement from their attorney, Kobayashi’s family said in part:

“We would like to emphasize that the family has not made any public statements regarding a supposed marriage because we lacked the necessary facts and documentation to confirm the validity of such claims. The family has not authenticated the photographs or the accuracy of the details concerning a potential covert marriage.”

The family is continuing to investigate leads with help from an attorney and investigative team, the statement said.

“We would also like to confirm that we turned over the alleged information to law enforcement immediately upon receipt,” according to the statement.

This statement follows a recent article in Los Angeles Magazine asserting that Kobayashi’s mother uncovered information suggesting her daughter might have been clandestinely married and potentially involved in an immigration-related scheme.

Los Angeles police said earlier this week that Kobayashi walked freely into Mexico on Nov. 12, four days after landing at LAX. She was alone and there is no indication she was under duress or the victim of a crime, police said.

Kobayashi’s family has been searching for her since they lost contact with her shortly before that day. She flew from Maui to LAX on Nov. 8 and was expected to take a connecting flight to New York but missed that connection. Aside from a few cryptic text messages they have not heard directly from her.

Police later said they believe she missed the connecting flight on purpose. She retrieved her luggage from LAX days later, used cash and her passport at Union Station to buy a bus ticket to the border before walking into Mexico.

Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, was found dead last month in a parking lot near LAX. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be suicide.