Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi's aunt, tells PEOPLE that her niece never mentioned plans of traveling to Mexico “This has been the most painful and confusing time of my life,” Pidgeon says.

(Larie Pidgeon) "Every confirmed sighting that she has with an individual, she's of sound mind," Pidgeon said of her conversations with those who last spoke to her niece. "She's happy, she's kind.

It’s been over a week since Hannah Kobayashi's loved ones have heard from her after she missed her connecting flight at LAX and disappeared.

Kobayashi's aunt, Larie Pidgeon, told USA TODAY that the strange and "super strange and alarming" texts began on the Monday after the connecting flight was missed.

Hannah Kobayashi's aunt Larie Pidgeon is sharing an updated statement on the missing persons case, saying the search for her is "not over" after authorities said she went to Mexico ...

Hannah Kobayashi. Courtesy of Larie Pidgeon According to Hannah's family, she went to a bookstore at The Grove, a local mall, around noon on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi’s aunt, told KITV News that she had been en route to New York for a concert, photography job and to visit her sister.

The mysterious case of missing Hawaiian photographer Hannah Kobayashi has been marred by wild conspiracy theories – and they may have literally driven her father to his death, her aunt said.

Larie Pidgeon, Kobayashi's aunt, previously told USA TODAY that the family was alarmed when they received texts from Kobayashi that were out of character.

Larie Pidgeon says it's been a nightmare ever since her niece Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight to New York City at LAX. "If she decided to deter her trip she would've let us know ...

It’s been over a week since Hannah Kobayashi's loved ones have heard from her after she missed her connecting flight at LAX and disappeared. “We are terrified,” her 45-year-old aunt, Larie ...

It’s been over a week since Hannah Kobayashi's loved ones have heard from her after she missed her connecting flight at LAX and disappeared. “We are terrified,” her 45-year-old aunt, Larie ...