Tragic fate: missing doctor on Alaska cruise found dead

Tragic fate: missing doctor on Alaska cruise found dead

Juneau, Alaska, USA - A tragic incident overshadows a cruise through Alaska when the 62-year-old doctor Marites Buenafe from Kentucky is missing during a hiking trip and is later found dead. Buenafe, who worked as an experienced doctor at the University of Kentucky Healthcare, was on July 1, 2025 with two family members on board the cruise ship Norwegian Bliss and planned a one -week tour.

In the morning of her disappearance, at 7:30 a.m., she sent a last sign of life to her family as she made her way to Mount Roberts Tramway in Juneau. Security cameras confirmed that it was seen at the mountain station at the same time. The hiking route is considered demanding and is usually mastered in about three hours. Buenafe should return to the ship in good time at 3:15 p.m.

search action and discovery of the body

At 3:15 p.m., Buenafe was finally reported missing, which a large -scale search triggered. Search and rescue teams, supported by numerous volunteers, use dogs, drones and helicopters to find them. However, the search measures were canceled due to the bad weather conditions on the evening of July 2nd.

On July 4, a helicopter of the Alaska Army National Guard discovered her body around 500 meters below the ridge line of the Gold Ridge. The mountain rescue of Juneau and the National Guard in cooperation with the helicopter company Temsco Helicopters were used during the salvage. Her body has been sent to state forensic medicine for autopsy, but the exact cause of death has so far been unclear.

reactions and warnings

The Norwegian Cruise Line expressed her deep regret about the death of Marites Buenafe and offered her family to support her family. Austin McDaniel from the Alaska Department of Public Safety also warned that hikes in Alaska's wilderness are often underestimated, which further underlines the tragedy of this incident.

The family of Buenafe had flown to Juneau after taking the ship at 1:45 p.m. to actively take part in the search for the missing doctor. This unforeseen drama has moved the readers worldwide and reminds of how dangerous and unpredictable nature can be.