(NewsNation) — The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi has taken a tragic turn, with experts suggesting she may have been “snatched” and her father dying by suicide during the search, according to law enforcement and search professionals.
Former FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer and Dog the Bounty Hunter told NewsNation they believe Kobayashi, 30, may have been taken by a stranger after unusual circumstances surrounding her last known movements in Los Angeles.
“There was always communication with the family, she actually took special steps to charge [her phone] so it was working,” she said.
The disappearance of Hannah Kobayashi
Kobayashi was last seen on Nov. 11 after missing a connecting flight from Maui to New York.
She was reportedly seen at the Grove shopping mall and at a LeBron James event before sending cryptic text messages claiming she had been “tricked” and that “Deep State hackers” had stolen her funds.
The family said they found the texts suspicious and her phone appeared to have been turned off after sending them. Kobayashi was then seen again the following day at Los Angeles International Airport, speaking to a ticket agent.
Later that day, Kobayashi was captured on surveillance exiting the subway system near the stadium where the LA Lakers play. That metro stop is not on the same line that goes to LAX, meaning she would have had to change lines to get to that area.
Was Hannah Kobayashi taken?
Coffindaffer said law enforcement is carefully reviewing extensive surveillance footage from the airport and train station where Kobayashi was last seen.
Hannah Kobayashi was on a trip from Maui to New York when she disappeared. (Kobayashi family) 
Hannah Kobayashi’s family said they received suspicious texts before she disappeared. (Kobayashi family) 
Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight in Los Angeles. (Kobayashi family) 
Hannah Kobayashi was spotted at the Grove Shopping Center in LA. (Kobayashi Family) 
Surveillance video showed Hannah Kobayashi at the Los Angeles airport. (Kobayashi family)
“I think she could be in the hands of a stranger taking advantage of her,” Coffindaffer told NewsNation’s “CUOMO.”
Dog the Bounty Hunter, whose daughter knew Kobayashi, suggested she was potentially “snatched” and expressed hope she is still alive. He also noted the text messages did not sound like Kobayashi’s typical communication style.
“All women, beware,” he said. “There are things happening that are unbelievable.”
Searching for Hannah Kobayashi
Though police have not made many public appeals for assistance, Coffindaffer noted that Kobayashi was in areas where there is significant video surveillance they could be reviewing to find her.
The search has been further complicated by the death of Kobayashi’s father, Ryan, who took his own life after spending 13 days searching for his daughter.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit, Kobayashi is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes and fair skin with freckles as well as a tattoo that says “knife” on her forearm.
Authorities continue to investigate the disappearance. Anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement.
NewsNation’s Anna Kutz contributed to this report.
