Hannah Kobayashi’s Venmo inundated with donations from strangers telling her to ‘enjoy Mexico’
Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi’s Venmo has been flooded with donations from strangers who told her to “enjoy Mexico” after she was declared “voluntarily missing.”
After announcing that she was living south of the border, many well-wishers flooded her Venmo account, sending her money and love, encouraging her to live her best life.
Some even offered other destinations she should travel to as well – with most advising her to call her family to tell them everything was fine.
‘Way to reach Mexico girl! Bring a chicharrone!’ wrote one person.
Another said: ‘Have fun in Mexico… let your family know you’re safe.’
“Hey girl! Take a trip to Puerto Vallarta,” wrote another.
The 30-year-old woman went missing on November 8 after flying from Maui to LAX but failing to board the New York connection.
Her family reported her missing on November 11 after receiving cryptic text messages from her phone.
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was declared “voluntarily missing” by the LAPD on Monday after her family filed a missing persons report, days after she was scheduled to arrive in New York on November 8.
Many people took to her Venmo to wish her will and send her some money
At the time, they believed she may have been the victim of a violent crime and may have been trafficked. The Los Angeles Police Department investigated her disappearance to determine whether foul play was involved.
However, on Monday, Customs and Border Protection surveillance images emerged of the missing photographer driving into Mexico alone with her luggage and unharmed.
The LAPD held a press conference on Monday and declared Kobayashi a “voluntary” missing person.
While it is unknown what dollar amount was sent to Kobayashi, many appeared to support her trip.
‘I hope you’re safe. You don’t owe an explanation. Here’s some taco money, girl. Have fun!’ someone wrote.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell announced the twist in the case during a news conference on Monday.
“At this time, Kobayashi’s case has been classified as voluntarily missing,” he said.
They also said foul play was no longer suspected in her disappearance.
Surveillance footage captured Koboyashi with her luggage, alone and unharmed. She was spotted in Mexico
Kobayashi was seen at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8, but she never boarded a connecting flight to New York
The 30-year-old photographer was spotted crossing the border into Mexico on November 12
Police held a press conference on Monday declaring her a ‘voluntary’ missing person
The police chief said Kobayashi crossed the southern border near Tijuana on foot around 12:15 a.m. on Nov. 12, which was confirmed after reviewing Border Patrol surveillance footage.
They believe she threw away her phone at the Los Angeles airport around November 8.
“The footage clearly shows 30-year-old Hannah Kobayashi crossing the United States border into Mexico on foot,” McDonnell said. CNN.
He said she was seen using cash and her passport to buy a bus ticket to the U.S.-Mexico border, where she later entered Mexico at the port of entry in San Ysidro just after noon on Nov. 12.
“She was alone, with her luggage, and appeared unharmed,” McDonnell added.
“To date, the investigation has not revealed any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or the victim of foul play. She is also not a suspect in any criminal activity,” McDonnell said.
“She is entitled to her privacy and we respect her choices, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her.”
Since images of her in Mexico surfaced, Kobayashi’s family says the search for her is “far from over, and they will do everything they can to bring her home safely.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was spotted crossing the US-Mexico border on November 12 when her family reported her missing
“We are extremely grateful for the urgency and dedication shown by police in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” the family members wrote in a statement.
“Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search.
Since she was found, there has been a response from those who contributed to her GoFundMe when she went missing.
What started as an effort to help find her has now turned into a fundraiser to help pay for her father Ryan Kobayashi’s funeral after he died by suicide in Los Angeles while trying to find her.
The family has been criticized for continuing to ask for donations.
“Y’all, I can’t believe Hannah Kobayashi crossed the border into Mexico a week and a half ago and officials in the family didn’t tell anyone,” someone shared on X.
“They just kept the GoFundMe running and had volunteers spend thousands of hours looking for her.”
“Give the money back to the people who donated to this fundraiser,” another added. ‘The police have already declared her voluntarily missing. The organizers have withheld information from donors.”
‘Agreed, the resources now have to go elsewhere. I wonder if the GoFundMe is still active…” one person wrote.
The GoFundMe, which started on November 15 with a goal of $50,000, has reached 94 percent of its goal.