UK doctor who went missing after hike on Alaskan cruise found dead

A missing Lexington woman was found dead after she disappeared during a cruise stop in Alaska.

The Alaska Army National Guard found the body of Marites Buenafe, 62, about 1,700 feet below the ridge line of a popular hiking trail in Juneau, according to a Thursday update from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.

Buenafe was reported missing July 1, when she did not return to her cruise ship, the Norwegian Bliss.

Juneau Mountain Rescue recovered her body, which was sent to the state medical examiner’s office for autopsy. Her next of kin have been notified.

Buenafe was a doctor at University of Kentucky HealthCare, according to its website. She practiced at University Health Services, which primarily cares for UK employees and students.

Kendall Staton

Lexington Herald-Leader

Kendall Staton is the City/County Reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She also helps with general news coverage, and previously covered UK HealthCare. She worked as the regional editor of three community newspapers in Central Kentucky before joining the Herald-Leader. She is a Greenup County native and 2023 University of Kentucky graduate. She first joined the Herald-Leader in April 2024. Support my work with a digital subscription