A Kentucky doctor, aged 62, who went missing while hiking in Alaska after leaving a Norwegian cruise ship, was found deceased, authorities reported on Thursday, July 3. Marites Buenafe was located roughly 5,577 feet below the ridge line of Gold Ridge by an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter team.
Buenafe, a family medicine doctor at the University of Kentucky HealthCare system in Lexington, was on a solo trip aboard the Norwegian Bliss. On the morning of July 1, 2025, she departed the ship for a hike in Juneau, Alaska. Around 7:30 a.m., she texted family, mentioning her plan to use the Mount Roberts Tramway and hike from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak.
Surveillance footage recorded Buenafe at the Mount Roberts Tramway summit when she sent her final text to relatives. The Norwegian Bliss was supposed to leave Juneau at 1:30 p.m., but Buenafe did not return to the ship by the specified time.
Her family alerted authorities about her disappearance around 3:15 p.m., as she failed to return to the cruise ship. The Alaska State Troopers were informed and started a search operation immediately.
The search involved various agencies and resources over three days. Ground searches were led by Juneau Mountain Rescue, which also used thermal drones to survey the mountainous terrain. Helicopter teams from Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted aerial searches. On July 2, over a dozen experienced volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS worked with state troopers and Juneau police officers in a comprehensive search utilizing drones, K-9 units, and ground teams.
Adverse weather conditions on July 2 restricted helicopter search operations due to poor visibility and rain. The search resumed on July 3 with better weather, allowing for extended helicopter reconnaissance.
At 11:56 a.m. local time on July 3, an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew discovered Buenafe’s body below the ridge line of Gold Ridge. State troopers and Juneau Mountain Rescue, with aid from Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard, recovered her body. Her next of kin were informed, and her body was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
The route from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak is known as a demanding yet popular 4.1-mile hike, generally taking around three hours to complete. The region where Buenafe was located features rugged terrain south of downtown Juneau, Alaska, with some peaks retaining snow in July.
Buenafe earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio and completed her family medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. With over 20 years in medicine, she served as a family medicine physician at Albert B. Chandler Hospital, as per the University of Kentucky HealthCare system’s website.
The Mount Roberts Tramway is a well-known tourist destination in Juneau, offering access to hiking trails with views of the downtown area. It attracts cruise ship visitors due to its proximity to the downtown docking area and scenic mountain vistas.
Norwegian Cruise Line officials stated they cooperated with local authorities during the search. A company spokesperson mentioned they were “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the guest.” The cruise line’s CARE team supported Buenafe’s family throughout the incident.
The Norwegian Bliss was on a weeklong Alaska round-trip cruise, departing from Seattle on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Juneau was the third planned stop, with several ports in Alaska and Canada before returning to Seattle.
Officials from the Alaska Department of Public Safety stressed the necessity of safety measures for backcountry hiking. They advise hikers to inform someone of their planned route, expected return time, and clothing description before setting out. They also recommend carrying additional communication devices in areas with limited cell coverage.
The Alaska State Troopers expressed appreciation to all volunteers and agencies involved in the search and recovery operation, including Juneau Mountain Rescue, SEADOGS, Juneau Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and Temsco Helicopters.
