Woman Who Left Alaskan Cruise to Hike Is Found Dead

UPDATE Jul 4, 2025 5:32 AM CDT

A Kentucky woman who failed to return to her Norwegian Cruise Line ship after setting off on a hike near Juneau, Alaska, has been found dead. The New York Times reports the body of Dr. Marites Buenafe, a 62-year-old physician at UK HealthCare in Lexington, was found Thursday morning about 1,700 feet below the ridge line of Gold Ridge. Buenafe had told her family via text that she planned to take a tram into the mountains then hike a trail running from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak. She did not return in time for the ship's 1:30pm Tuesday departure and was reported missing roughly two hours later. Alaska Daily News reports her body has been recovered and an autopsy will be carried out.

Jul 3, 2025 7:26 AM CDT

Authorities are searching for a Kentucky woman visiting Alaska's capital city who did not return to her cruise ship from a hike, per the AP. The Juneau Police Department said the 62-year-old woman left the Norwegian Bliss to hike but did not return to the vessel before its departure time on Tuesday. The woman's plans involved taking a tram popular with tourists partially up a mountain overlooking downtown Juneau and continuing from there, with plans to trek to Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak, according to the state Department of Public Safety.

The department said ground and aerial searches were conducted Tuesday, with ground searches resuming Wednesday and aircraft on standby due to overcast and rainy weather. Juneau is a popular cruise ship destination, and many tourists who ride the tram stay close to the developed area that includes the tram itself. Local peaks still have areas of snow on them.