In the late spring of 2014, Sharon Gay Buis, a 48-year-old physical therapist, disappeared in Juneau, Alaska, leaving behind a community of concerned friends and a baffling mystery for investigators. An avid and experienced outdoorswoman, Buis was a familiar face in the local hiking, running, and kayaking circles. She was reported missing on the evening of Saturday, May 24, 2014, after she failed to show up for a planned morning hike with the Juneau Alpine Club.
This was highly uncharacteristic of the reliable and seasoned adventurer, immediately raising alarm among her friends. The concern grew when a friend discovered her black Honda Civic parked and locked at the Mount Roberts trailhead on Basin Road later that same day. It was believed that Buis, who had lived in Juneau since about 2004, had gone for a solo hike on the popular and rugged trail system.
The official search for Sharon Buis began in the early hours of Sunday, May 25, mobilizing a significant response from local and state agencies. Coordinated by Alaska State Troopers, the effort included Juneau Mountain Rescue, Southeast Alaska Dogs Organized for Ground Search the U.S. Coast Guard, and numerous friends and volunteers from the tight-knit community. Search teams, operating from a command center at the Mount Roberts Tramway restaurant, repeatedly scoured the trails of Mount Roberts and Mount Juneau. Helicopters conducted aerial surveys of the vast and challenging terrain, while ground crews and canine units meticulously combed the area. Search dogs did detect her scent on the Mt. Roberts trail, both near the parking lot and further up near the tram, confirming she had likely been there, but these promising leads did not yield any further clues. Despite these intensive efforts, which involved double and triple checking likely and unlikely areas, no trace of Buis or her belongings was found.
After four days of exhaustive searching with no new leads, the Alaska State Troopers made the difficult decision to suspend the official search, though the case would remain an active missing persons investigation. In the weeks and months that followed, friends and volunteers continued to organize their own searches, venturing into more remote areas and even exploring abandoned mine shafts on the back of Mount Roberts in August 2014. The Juneau Police Department took over the investigation, re-interviewing people and searching her home, but found nothing to suggest foul play. Her overnight backpack and an emergency GPS device were found at her house, indicating she likely planned only a day hike. Over the years, authorities have occasionally re-circulated her case, hoping a new tip might emerge. The disappearance of Sharon Buis remains an unsolved mystery, a painful void for her friends, family, and the community who remember her as a vibrant and vital person who seemingly vanished without a trace from the wilderness she loved.Last Seen: May 24, 2014
