After a week-long search, a couple from Tennessee who went missing while hiking in Alaska have been found safe. Jonas Bare, 50, and Cynthia Hovsepian, 37, were reported missing by local authorities after they failed to check out of their Airbnb accommodations. The couple had been visiting Alaska from Nashville and had rented a dark-blue Jeep Compass Limited through the Turo rental app. Their vehicle was found abandoned at Chena Hot Springs Resort, just over an hour's drive from Fairbanks, where they had been staying. Authorities launched a search for the couple after discovering their vehicle and learning that they had never checked out of their Airbnb. The Fairbanks Police Department said in a Facebook post that their luggage and personal belongings were still at their accommodations, but Bare and Hovsepian were nowhere to be found.

The search for the missing couple involved the use of helicopters, ATVs, K-9 teams, and drones. Bare, who is described as “capable” and has extensive travel experience, was last seen on a hiking trail near the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Hovsepian, who is visually impaired and occasionally uses a cane, was last seen with Bare on August 10. The couple was found safe by Alaska Wildlife Troopers approximately two miles away from where their car was parked. They were discovered by a hiker who spotted them wandering through the woods in Fairbanks.

Bare's family believes that the couple became lost and disoriented in the Alaskan wilderness due to the extended daylight hours and dropping temperatures during the twilight hours. Despite their ordeal, both hikers are said to be recovering in an area hospital. The details of their conditions are not currently known.

The discovery of Bare and Hovsepian brings relief to their loved ones, who had been anxiously awaiting news of their whereabouts. Bare's daughter confirmed on social media that her father and Cynthia were found alive and being treated at a hospital. A picture of Bare, covered in dirt and wearing an Alaska T-shirt, was shared on a dedicated Facebook page for finding the missing couple. He was seen standing beside his 71-year-old father, who had been actively searching for his son in the wilderness.

The circumstances surrounding how Bare and Hovsepian survived in the unfamiliar wilderness for eight days remain a mystery. However, their family members are grateful that they have been found safe and are receiving medical attention. The search and rescue efforts involved multiple agencies and resources, highlighting the dedication and commitment of the authorities in locating the missing couple.