An urgent, multi-agency search is underway in the rugged terrain near Juneau, Alaska, for a 62-year-old cruise passenger who vanished during a solo hike on Tuesday. The missing woman has been identified as Marites Buenafe, a respected physician from Kentucky.
According to the Alaska State Troopers, Buenafe, who was traveling alone on the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship, texted her family around 7:30 a.m. on July 1 to say she was heading up the Mount Roberts Tramway. Her planned route was to hike the trail from Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak.
Security cameras last spotted her departing the tramway buildings around the time she sent the text. When she failed to return to the Norwegian Bliss for its scheduled 1:30 p.m. departure from Juneau, the ship’s crew reported her missing to local authorities.
The search operation began swiftly, with aerial sweeps conducted by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. After pausing overnight, efforts resumed on Wednesday with a significant ground presence. Over a dozen professional volunteers from Juneau Mountain Rescue and Southeast Alaska Dogs for Organized Ground Search (SEADOGS) were deployed, utilizing drones and K-9 units to cover the challenging terrain.
While poor weather conditions limited helicopter searches on Wednesday, authorities have confirmed that both ground and aerial teams would continue their search on Thursday.
Norwegian Cruise Line issued a statement confirming their cooperation with the search. “An active search is ongoing, and we are providing assistance to local authorities as appropriate,” a spokesperson told PEOPLE. “Our CARE team is providing support to the guest’s family and our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
Marites Buenafe is a highly respected physician at UK HealthCare in Lexington, Kentucky. According to reports, she has been in practice for over 20 years, having received her degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed her residency in family medicine at the prestigious Mayo Clinic.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help. Marites Buenafe is described as 5 feet tall, weighing 118 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is urged to contact the Alaska State Troopers in Juneau at 907-465-4000, referencing incident number AK25063914.
