Father of Hannah Kobayashi found dead near LAX

Hannah Kobayashi’s father was found dead in LA over the weekend.
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The father of missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi was found dead in Los Angeles on Sunday, according to police.
Ryan Kobayashi, who had traveled to LA to help in the search for his daughter, was found dead in a parking lot near Los Angeles International Airport, authorities said. The 58-year-old’s case is listed as “open,” the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner noted on its website. 
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a call around 4 a.m. reporting a body found in the area. Police said Kobayashi apparently jumped to his death from a parking structure.
RELATED: Hannah Kobayashi: Missing Hawaii woman’s family continues search in LA
“The Kobayashi family endured a devastating tragedy today. After tirelessly searching throughout Los Angeles for 13 days, Hannah’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, tragically took his own life. This loss has compounded the family’s suffering immeasurably,” the family said in a statement released through a nonprofit group helping with the search for Hannah Kobayashi.
“Hannah IS still actively missing and is believed to be in imminent danger. It is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant in their efforts to locate Hannah,” the statement read.
Hannah Kobayashi was reported missing by her family on Nov. 12 after she missed a connecting flight from Maui to New York City at LAX days earlier on Nov. 8.
Since her disappearance, the elder Kobayashi – who said he was estranged from his daughter – had spoken on behalf of his family as they begged the public for help in the search.
Hannah Kobayashi was last seen near a downtown Los Angeles Metro station. Volunteers are banding together to help the search for the missing Maui woman.
“I just wish I could have been there more for her. Trying to find her is everything,” he told FOX 11 during a rally outside Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles last week.
Security footage obtained by Kobayashi’s family shows her leaving the airport on Nov. 8, wearing a black hoodie, tie-dye leggings, and carrying a dark green backpack. 
According to her family, Kobayashi was seen at The Grove on Nov. 9 and 10.  On the 10th, Kobayashi posted to her Instagram a black-and-white photo from the two-day Nike and LeBron James event she apparently attended at the shopping center located about 14 miles north of the airport.
RELATED: Family of woman who went missing on cross-country vacation says cryptic texts sent from phone unlike her
Kobayashi returned to LAX on Nov. 11 but did not board a flight, according to the family, who cited airport staffers. Kobayashi’s phone last pinged at LAX on Nov. 11.
“It’s just very unlike her to disappear,” said sister Sydni Kobayashi.
Concerns grew when family said they received “strange” messages from her cell phone that “didn’t sound like her.”
The desperate search is on for Hannah Kobayashi, the missing woman from Hawaii who was previously seen at LAX.
“Even in those text messages, it just didn’t seem like her or it seemed like someone else, or maybe someone did something to her to alter her state of mind, because that’s not how she normally speaks,” Sydni said. 
Sydi posted a tribute on Monday mourning the death of her father.
“I am so sad and devatated that you left us so soon, but I understand it was because of a broken heart,” she wrote. “You fought so hard for the family and it was just too much for your to take. I love you and miss you so much. Although my heart is breaking and my world feels shattered, I’m going to continue to stay strong for you. We’re going to find Hannah.”
Hannah Kobayashi is described as 5’10”, 140 lbs., with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has freckles on her face and a tattoo of a knife on her forearm, according to the LAPD. 
RELATED: Hannah Kobayashi: Search continues for missing Maui woman
If you see her or have any information regarding her whereabouts, contact the LAPD at 1-877-LAPD-24-7. You can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. 
The Source: This story was reported with information from the Los Angeles Police Department and interviews with Hannah Kobayashi’s family. FOX 11’s Hailey Winslow and City News Service contributed.