Featured Image Credit: Fairbanks Police Department
Topics: US News
Jess Hardiman
A couple have mysteriously gone missing while on an Alaskan birthday vacation, with a search underway for the pair.
Jonas Bare, 50, and Cynthia Hovsepian, 37, were scheduled to check out of their Airbnb in downtown Fairbanks on 11 August.
However, they failed to do so, with their belongings left at the property.
The duo – who are from Nashville, Tennessee – also did not make their scheduled return flight home, and have not contacted their respective families.
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The day after they went missing, Fairbanks Police Department confirmed it was seeking information on the couple’s whereabouts.
“On 08/12/23, the Fairbanks Police Department received a report that Jonas Bare (50 YOA) and Cynthia Hovsepian (37 YOA) both of Tennessee were missing,” the force said in a statement.
“It was reported that they checked into an Airbnb in the downtown area on 08/09/23 and were scheduled to check out on 08/11/23 at 1100 A.M.
“Neither Bare nor Hovsepian checked out of the Airbnb and their personal belongings were left on scene.
“Bare had also rented a dark metallic blue Jeep Compass limited through Turo.
“The vehicle was also due to be returned on 08/11/23 and was not.
“Anyone with information about Bare or Hovespian's whereabouts should contact the Fairbanks Police Department at 907-450-6500 or email [email protected].”
Police later located the dark metallic blue Jeep that the couple had rented - and had been due to return on 11 August – at Chena Hot Springs Resort on August 12, prompting a search and rescue operation in the area.
As of Thursday (17 August) afternoon, an Alaska Department of Public Safety spokesperson told Fox News that Bare and Hovsepian were still missing.
Their names also remain on the Alaska Bureau of Investigations’ missing persons list as of Friday 18 August.
On 9 August, Bare had posted on his Facebook page to share a photo from his trip.
“View from room,” he wrote, tagging himself at Denali National Park.
In the previous post, he had written: “I greatly appreciate all the web love for my B-day hurrah!
“Finally have a signal as we leave base camp tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. in Denali. A checklist range of the great four.
“I'm not going to get lost like I did 10 years ago in Australia and Katoomba Range.”
Bare added: “If a Kodiak gets me, I'll consider that an honorable death.”