Hannah Kobayashi, the 30-year-old woman from Maui who was the subject of an intense search, is speaking out for the first time since her family reported her missing last month.
Kobayashi said Monday in a letter distributed through her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, that she returned to the United States from Mexico on Sunday and is only now learning about the widespread attention she received.
“I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all,” she said in the statement.
The Hawaii woman arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on Nov. 8 but missed a connecting flight to New York City, family members said.
Her family became alarmed a few days later when she stopped communicating with them, they said. They reported her missing Nov. 13, with the Los Angeles Police Department taking over the case Nov. 15, police said.
Family members were particularly concerned with security video showing an unknown man with Kobayashi in Los Angeles, but police said they investigated and found no wrongdoing.
Kobayashi had planned to travel to New York to tour museums and galleries as part of her goal of becoming an artist, Pidgeon has said.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said earlier this month that it appeared Kobayashi wilfully remained in L.A. and cut off communication on her own. He said she had her luggage rerouted back to Los Angeles International Airport after missing her flight to New York City.
The chief also said investigators reviewed U.S. Customs and Border Protection video showing Kobayashi crossing into Mexico at the San Ysidro pedestrian crossing in San Diego at 12:13 p.m. Nov. 12.
While he said the woman was free to travel, he urged her to reach out to concerned family members, some of whom flew to Los Angeles from Hawaii and other parts of the country to coordinate their search.
On Nov. 24, after relatives gathered in Los Angeles, her father died by suicide near Los Angeles International Airport, police said.
Last week, Kobayashi’s family said that she had been found safe. Her mother and sister did not say when or where she was found, but said they were grateful she had been located.
In her statement Monday, Kobayahsi said she returned to the United States at daybreak on Sunday, without providing details about her experience.
“My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity,” she said.
“I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.