A 62-year-old doctor from Kentucky who went missing while hiking in Alaska after leaving a Norwegian cruise ship was found deceased, officials reported on Thursday, July 3, 2025. Marites Buenafe was located approximately 1,700 feet below the ridge line of Gold Ridge by a helicopter team from the Alaska Army National Guard.
Buenafe, a family medicine physician with the University of Kentucky HealthCare system in Lexington, had been traveling alone on the Norwegian Bliss. She left the ship on July 1, 2025, for a solo hike in Juneau, Alaska. Around 7:30 a.m. local time, she sent a text to her family detailing her plan to take the Mount Roberts Tramway and hike from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak.
Security footage showed Buenafe at the top of the Mount Roberts Tramway about the same time she communicated with her family. The Norwegian Bliss was set to leave Juneau at 1:30 p.m. that day, but Buenafe did not return to the ship before departure.
Her family reported her missing to authorities around 3:15 p.m. when she failed to reboard the cruise ship. The Alaska State Troopers were then alerted and initiated a search operation.
The search involved numerous agencies and resources over three days. Juneau Mountain Rescue conducted ground searches and utilized thermal drones to scan the area. Helicopter crews from Alaska Wildlife Troopers and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted aerial searches. On July 2, over twelve experienced volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue and SEADOGS collaborated with state troopers and Juneau police officers for a comprehensive search employing drones, K-9 teams, and ground crews.
Adverse weather conditions on July 2, including low visibility and rain, limited helicopter search operations. The search continued on July 3 as weather conditions improved, allowing for expanded helicopter searches.
At 11:56 a.m. local time on July 3, Buenafe’s body was found below the ridge line of Gold Ridge by an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew. Her body was retrieved with the aid of Temsco Helicopters and the National Guard, and her family was informed. She was then transported to the state medical examiner’s office for an autopsy.
The hiking route from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak is a challenging yet popular 4.1-mile path that takes about three hours to complete. The area in which Buenafe was discovered is known for its mountainous terrain south of downtown Juneau, Alaska, with some peaks still snow-covered 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, according to the University of Kentucky HealthCare system’s website.
The Mount Roberts Tramway, a popular tourist destination in Juneau, Alaska, offers access to hiking trails with views overlooking the downtown area. Cruise ship passengers frequent the tramway due to its proximity to the downtown docking area and its scenic mountain views.
Officials from Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed their cooperation with local authorities during the search operation. A spokesperson for the cruise line expressed that the company was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the guest.” The company’s CARE team provided support to Buenafe’s family during the incident.
The Norwegian Bliss was on a weeklong round-trip cruise of Alaska that began from Seattle, Washington, on Saturday, June 28, 2025. Juneau was the third scheduled stop on the itinerary, which included various ports in Alaska and Canada before returning to Seattle.
Officials from the Alaska Department of Public Safety stressed the importance of safety precautions when hiking in backcountry areas. Authorities recommend that hikers inform someone of their planned route, expected return time, and clothing description before starting on trails. They also advise carrying additional communication devices in areas where cell service is limited.
The Alaska State Troopers expressed their gratitude to all volunteers and agencies that participated in the search and rescue operation, including professional volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue, SEADOGS, Juneau Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and Temsco Helicopters.
