Hannah Kobayashi Breaks Silence After Mystery Disappearance: ‘Still Processing It All’

Hannah Kobayashi is breaking her silence after her family announced last week that she had been “found safe” following her disappearance. The 30-year-old was the subject of a weeks-long-search that gained national attention after her family reported her missing in November, though authorities later revealed it appeared she had walked into Mexico alone with no foul play suspected. In a statement obtained by NBC News on Monday, Dec. 16, Kobayashi said that she crossed the border back into the United States “at daybreak” the previous morning. She continued, “My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time. I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding.”