GoFundMe donors who contributed to the campaign to help find Hannah Kobayashi are demanding answers now that the missing Hawaii woman turned up in Mexico.
Kobayashi, 30, of Maui, appeared to freely walk into a tunnel with her luggage at the San Ysidro crossing on Nov. 12, police announced Monday, citing surveillance footage, negating family suspicions she was kidnapped or trafficked, according to the Associated Press.
Her failure to board her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City Nov. 11 prompted family members to file a missing persons report and at the same time, launch a GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $47,000 since its launch.
According to the fundraiser, donations were being allocated toward food and water for search teams, communication devices, transportation, a media campaign and funeral costs for Kobayashi's father, Ryan Kobayashi, who died from an apparent suicide during the search.
Now that investigators believe Kobayashi willingly crossed over into Mexico and classified her as a "voluntary missing person," loved ones have been criticized for continuing to collect funds.
"What if Hannah kobayashi set up her own Go Fund Me and now has $50k to make a new life in Mexico," one person wrote on X.
"So #HannahKobayashi voluntarily left and went to Mexico... her family raised upwards of $50k in their GoFundme to find her. And let's not forget her father, stricken with grief, springboarded off an 8-story garage to his doom.. Has this chick checked in with anyone yet?! WTF?!" another chimed.
"Reimburse the donors who request it," a user demanded.
Three weeks into their investigation, police determined Kobayashi voluntarily vanished in an effort to "step away from modern connectivity," LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said, the AP reported.
"We've basically done everything we can do at this point. She's left the country and in another nation now," he said.
Although police have come to the resolution that Kobayashi chose to disappear, loved ones said their search for her is "far from over."
"We are deeply grateful for the urgency and dedication law enforcement has shown in investigating Hannah's disappearance. Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search. The search is far from over, and we are committed to doing everything possible to bring her home safely," the family said in a statement to NBC News.
"We want answers and a resolution that ensures Hannah's safety and urge law enforcement and the public to stay focused on finding her and to avoid speculative conclusions. Spreading awareness and sharing verified information about her case is crucial, and we deeply appreciate your continued support in these efforts."
