Hawaiian woman Hannah Kobayashi’s Venmo has been inundated with donations from strangers telling her to “enjoy Mexico” after she was declared “voluntarily missing.”
After the announcement that she was alive 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 him other destinations he should travel to as well; most advised him to call his family to tell them he was fine.
Way to get to Mexico, baby! Have a pork rind with me!’ one person wrote.
Another said: ‘Have fun in Mexico…let your family know you’re safe.’
‘Hello baby! Take a trip to Puerto Vallarta,’ wrote another.
The 30-year-old woman disappeared on November 8 after flying from Maui to LAX but was unable to board her connection to New York.
His family filed a missing person report on Nov. 11 after receiving cryptic text messages from his phone.
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was declared “voluntarily missing” by Los Angeles police on Monday after her family filed a missing person’s report days after she was supposed to arrive in New York on November 8.
Many people took to his Venmo to wish him well and send him some money.
At the time, they believed she may have been the victim of a violent crime and possibly trafficked. The Los Angeles Police Department was investigating his disappearance to determine if foul play was involved.
However, on Monday Customs and Border Protection surveillance images emerged of the missing photographer crossing into Mexico alone with her luggage and unharmed.
Los Angeles police held a news conference Monday and declared Kobayashi a “voluntary” missing person.
Although it is unknown how much dollars were sent to Kobayashi, many seemed to support his trip.
‘I hope you’re safe. You don’t owe an explanation. Here’s some money for tacos, girl. Enjoy!’ someone wrote.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell revealed the twist in the case Monday during a news conference.
“At this time Kobayashi’s case has been classified as a voluntary missing person,” he said.
They also said foul play was no longer suspected in her disappearance.
Surveillance footage captured Koboyashi with her luggage, alone and unharmed; was seen in Mexico
Kobayashi was spotted at Los Angeles International Airport on November 8, but never took a connecting flight to New York.
The 30-year-old photographer was seen crossing the border into Mexico on November 12.
The police held a press conference on Monday declaring that this was a “voluntary” missing person.
The police chief said Kobayashi crossed the southern border on foot near Tijuana around 12:15 p.m. on Nov. 12, which was confirmed after reviewing surveillance footage provided by the Border Patrol.
They believe he may have ditched his phone at the Los Angeles airport around November 8.
“The images clearly show Hannah Kobayashi, 30, crossing the US border into Mexico on foot,” McDonnell said, according to CNN.
She said she was seen using cash and her passport to buy a bus ticket to the U.S.-Mexico border, where she then crossed into Mexico shortly after noon on Nov. 12 at the San Ysidro port of entry.
“She was alone, with her luggage, and seemed unharmed,” McDonnell added.
‘To date, the investigation has not uncovered any evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is a victim of a criminal act. “She is also not suspected of any criminal activity,” McDonnell said.
“She has the right to her privacy and we respect her decisions, but we also understand the concern her loved ones feel for her.”
Since images of her in Mexico emerged, Kobayashi’s family has said the search for her is “far from over and they are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely.”
Hannah Kobayashi, 30, was seen crossing the US-Mexico border on November 12, while her family reported her missing.
“We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication that law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah’s disappearance,” family members wrote in a statement.
‘Our family is hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search.
Since she was found, there has been a backlash from those who had contributed to her GoFundMe when she was missing.
What started as an effort to help find her has now become a fundraiser to help pay for her father Ryan Kobayashi’s funeral after he committed suicide in Los Angeles while trying to find her.
The family has been criticized for continuing to ask for donations.
“I can’t believe Hannah Kobayashi crossed the border into Mexico a week and a half ago and family officials didn’t tell anyone,” one person on X shared.
“They just let GoFundMe go and let volunteers spend thousands of hours looking for it.”
“Give money back to the people who donated to this fundraiser,” another added. ‘The police have already declared that she is voluntarily missing. The organizers have withheld information from donors.’
‘Okay, resources need to go somewhere else now. I wonder if GoFundMe is still active…’ one person wrote.
GoFundMe, which started Nov. 15 with a goal of $50,000, has reached 94 percent of its goal.