Dr. Marites C. BuenafeMD (Photo Credit : health.usnews.com/doctors)
JUNEAU, Alaska – Dr. Marites “Tess” Buenafe, a 62-year-old physician from Lexington, Kentucky, was found dead on Thursday, July 3, after going missing during a solo hike in Juneau, Alaska.
Dr. Buenafe was a longtime family medicine doctor affiliated with University Health Service at UK HealthCare. She had been vacationing aboard the Norwegian Bliss cruise ship with her mother and sister, Melody, when she disembarked in Juneau on July 1 and set out alone to hike Mount Roberts, with plans to reach Gold Ridge and Gastineau Peak.
She texted her sister at around 7:35 a.m. and was seen on surveillance footage riding the Mount Roberts Tramway. However, she failed to return to the ship before its scheduled 1:30 p.m. departure. A missing persons report was filed by 3:18 p.m., prompting a multi-agency search operation.
In a Facebook post shared shortly after her disappearance, her sister Melody wrote:
“I need your help and prayers, please. My mom, sister (Marites ‘Tess’ Buenafe), and I are on an Alaskan cruise. Early this morning, in Juneau, Alaska, my sister took the Goldbelt tram to the top of Mt. Roberts. She texted me at 7:35 a.m. that she was going to hike either the Gold Ridge Trail or the Gastineau Peak Trail. That was the last we heard from her.”
“Local police have been contacted. A ground search crew and helicopter team searched the area until it became too dangerous due to weather and darkness. The U.S. Coast Guard also conducted a brief aerial search tonight using infrared and heat-sensing equipment. The ground search will resume tomorrow,” she added.
Melody also described her sister as being 5 feet tall, weighing about 105 pounds, and carrying a light blue 30 oz. metal water bottle. She included photos taken that morning at the tram station.
Authorities confirmed that an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew located Dr. Buenafe’s body at 11:56 a.m. on July 3, approximately 1,700 feet below the ridgeline of Gold Ridge. Her body was retrieved with assistance from Juneau Mountain Rescue, Alaska Wildlife Troopers, and Temsco Helicopters.
Dr. Buenafe’s remains have been sent to the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. Her next of kin has been notified.
The University of Kentucky released a statement on July 4 following her passing.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Dr. Marites ‘Tess’ Buenafe. Dr. Buenafe was a beloved physician by both her co-workers and her patients at University Health Service (UHS) at the University of Kentucky where she had worked for nearly 10 years. She was known for her compassion, her love of the outdoors and her many interests and talents outside of medicine including being an accomplished pianist and learning the guitar. Her dedication to patient care, her thoroughness as a physician and her caring and kind spirit will be truly missed,” said Dr. Scott Black, University Health Service Clinical Director.
Dr. Buenafe earned her medical degree from Case Western Reserve University and completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic. She was remembered not only for her medical expertise but also for her love of music and nature.
State authorities urged travelers and hikers to take safety precautions when exploring Alaska’s rugged trails, including carrying emergency communication devices, informing others of their plans, and being prepared for sudden weather changes.
Her death remains under investigation pending autopsy results.
