Juneau, Alaska — July 4, 2025 In a heartbreaking development, search and rescue crews have located the body of Dr. Marites Buenafe, a respected physician affiliated with the University of Kentucky, who went missing earlier this week while hiking in Juneau, Alaska. She was 62 years old.
According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, Dr. Buenafe’s body was discovered around 11:56 a.m. Thursday, approximately 1,700 feet below the Gold Ridge ridgeline, a steep and rugged area of terrain above Juneau. The recovery was made by an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew, who had been assisting in the exhaustive multi-agency search effort that spanned two days.
Dr. Buenafe had been on vacation with her family aboard the Norwegian Bliss, a cruise ship that had departed Seattle for a round-trip tour of Alaska. On the morning of July 1, she disembarked in Juneau and told family members via text message that she planned to hike from the Mount Roberts Tramway to Gastineau Peak. A security camera confirmed that she reached the top of the tramway around 7:30 a.m., embarking on a trail known for its challenging terrain and sweeping views.
Despite the trail being a well-traveled 4.1-mile route listed on AllTrails as taking roughly three hours to complete, Dr. Buenafe never returned. The Norwegian Bliss was scheduled to depart Juneau by 1:30 p.m., and by 3:15 p.m., her family reported her missing when she failed to return to the ship.
Authorities quickly mobilized a massive search effort. Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Juneau Mountain Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard launched coordinated search operations involving ground teams, thermal drones, K-9 units, and helicopter surveillance. By July 2, the effort had expanded to include more than a dozen professional volunteers, Alaska State Troopers, and Juneau police officers. Unfortunately, severe weather conditions significantly hindered aerial search capabilities as visibility and access became increasingly difficult.
Despite valiant and tireless efforts, no signs of Dr. Buenafe were found during the initial two days of searching. Then, on the morning of July 4, the Alaska Army National Guard located her remains in a steep and remote area well off the main trail, suggesting she may have lost her footing and fallen a considerable distance.
The news has sent shockwaves through the University of Kentucky healthcare community, where Dr. Buenafe was known not only for her medical expertise but also for her kindness, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to patient care. On the University of Kentucky Healthcare website, Dr. Buenafe was listed as a key figure in her department, highly regarded by colleagues and patients alike.
Family members are devastated by the sudden loss and are now working with officials to return her remains to Kentucky.
“Marites was more than a doctor—she was a mother, a wife, a friend, and a light to everyone who knew her,” one family member shared. “She lived her life with grace, adventure, and an open heart. That she left this world in nature, doing something she loved, brings us a sliver of peace, but the pain is immeasurable.”
Authorities have not released further information about the exact cause of death, and the investigation is ongoing. Her passing is being treated as a tragic accident.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Alaska Department of Public Safety has issued a reminder to travelers and hikers to remain vigilant when exploring Alaska’s wilderness, especially when venturing out alone. Weather, terrain, and isolation can quickly turn a day hike into a life-threatening situation.
As tributes pour in from across the country, colleagues, patients, and friends are remembering Dr. Marites Buenafe as a compassionate healer, a dedicated professional, and a woman whose legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched.
May she rest in peace.
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