Jonas Bare, 50, and Cynthia Hovsepian, 37, a couple from Tennessee, were found alive after disappearing during their trip to Alaska. The pair had been missing since August 11, when they failed to leave their Airbnb in Fairbanks as scheduled. Their absence was noted when they missed their return flight and failed to contact their families. The couple’s luggage was found at their rental property, and their rented Jeep was discovered abandoned at the Chena Hot Springs Resort on the day they were reported missing.
The circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unclear, but it was reported that they were receiving treatment for hypothermia upon their discovery. A photograph of Bare with his father, taken after his rescue, was shared by a friend.
A relative of the two individuals has expressed his belief that the disorienting effects of Alaska’s extended daylight hours, which can reach up to 20 hours a day during this season, combined with the drastic temperature drop to 45 degrees during the brief twilight period, may have left Bare and Hovsepian in a state of confusion and disorientation.
Alaska’s unique geographical location results in a phenomenon known as the midnight sun, where the sun can be seen for most of the day during the summer months. This can lead to a condition known as “midnight sun syndrome,” characterized by disorientation and sleep disturbances. The sudden drop in temperature during the short twilight period can further exacerbate these effects. Although a good theory, it is still unclear the exact reason they ended up lost.
The couple’s disappearance had caused significant concern among their loved ones due to the tumultuous nature of their relationship. Hovsepian had recently overcome a struggle with substance abuse and had undergone open-heart surgery in June 2022. Despite the cooling of their romantic relationship, the pair remained close. They had moved to Nashville from Florida together and were known to enjoy hiking. Hovsepian, who is visually impaired, was reportedly focused on improving her health through exercise and a healthy diet.
The nature of their relationship was further complicated by a YouTube channel in Hovsepian’s name, which featured videos alleging violent behavior by Bare. Bare had been charged with misdemeanor domestic battery in 2008, though the case did not go to trial. Hovsepian was found guilty in 2018 of violating an order of protection, but the identity of the other person involved remains unclear.
The trip to Alaska was a self-gifted birthday present for Bare. He had left his cell phone behind in Nashville, using Hovsepian’s phone during their trip. The couple’s disappearance was described as “surreal” by a friend, who noted that while it was not unusual for Bare to be out of touch, his disappearance was out of character.
Before her health issues, Hovsepian worked in a restaurant, while Bare, a biomedical engineering graduate from Akron University, who now runs a car service. The couple was found safe on Friday, approximately two miles from their parked car. They had survived eight days in the wilderness after losing their way on a supposed brief hike on an established trail.