Authorities and family seek clues after Chris Palmer’s truck is found abandoned on a remote North Carolina beach, intensifying a cross-state search effort.

Report Chris Palmer, 39, missing since January 2026 after his truck was found stuck at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, far from his planned route.
Detail Palmer’s last known movements through Boone Fork, George Washington, and Monongahela National Forests before disappearing with his German shepherd, Zoey.
Describe the National Park Service’s active search efforts using drones and public tips to locate Palmer and Zoey near Buxton, North Carolina.

On the windswept shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, a mystery has gripped the community and drawn national attention: the disappearance of Chris Palmer, a 39-year-old Arkansas man last seen traveling with his loyal German shepherd, Zoey. As days stretch into weeks, the National Park Service (NPS) and Palmer’s family are pleading for public assistance, hoping for a break in a case that has left more questions than answers.

Palmer, described as a Caucasian male approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair, was reported missing in early January 2026. According to multiple news outlets, including WAVY and WITN, Palmer’s last known contact with family members was on January 9. He had been communicating regularly with loved ones, updating them on his travels through national parks—a favorite pastime that had taken him across several states with Zoey by his side.

Relatives recounted, as reported by Hindustan Times, that Palmer and Zoey had camped in the Boone Fork area until December 27, 2025, before moving on to the George Washington National Forest in Virginia, where he stayed until January 7, 2026. His next destination, according to messages sent to his family, was Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. On January 9, Palmer texted that he was headed there, even sending a video of the rugged terrain, though he noted that cell service was spotty. “He does a lot of camping in the national forests. He lets us know when and where he is going and when he is expected to return,” his father, Bren, explained in a widely shared Facebook post.

But something went awry. On January 12, National Park Service rangers discovered Palmer’s red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore—hundreds of miles from where he was supposed to be heading. The truck, found near Buxton at the remote Cape Point area, remained unclaimed. Family members were notified by Greene County Sheriff’s Department on January 18 that the vehicle had been located in the opposite direction from Palmer’s planned route. The revelation deepened the mystery and heightened concerns for Palmer’s safety.

Arkansas authorities officially declared Palmer missing on January 16, as reported by WITN and WAVY. The NPS, spearheading the search, has emphasized the importance of public involvement. “While no additional details are available at this time, information from visitors can be critical to ongoing investigative efforts,” the agency stated in a news release cited by WITN. Officials are especially interested in hearing from anyone who was in the Cape Point area on the evening of January 11, the night before Palmer’s truck was discovered.

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore, renowned for its dramatic beaches, shifting sand dunes, and storied maritime history, is a place both beautiful and treacherous. The region, sometimes called the “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” has been the site of countless shipwrecks due to unpredictable currents and shoals. Its remoteness and wildness, which attract outdoor enthusiasts like Palmer, also make search efforts challenging. The area is popular for surf fishing, beachcombing, and camping—activities Palmer himself enjoyed, according to his family’s accounts.

Authorities believe that Palmer may still be in the area, possibly with Zoey. The NPS has deployed search teams and infrared drones in the vicinity of Buxton, as shared by Hindustan Times. The agency has repeatedly urged anyone who may have seen Palmer, his dog, or his distinctive red pickup truck to come forward. Tips can be submitted to the NPS Tip Line at 888-653-0009, online at www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/submit-a-tip.htm, or via email at [email protected].

Family members have turned to social media in a desperate bid for information. Bren Palmer’s heartfelt Facebook plea has been shared widely: “I don’t post a lot on here but I’d like to ask for help. Our son Chris Palmer and his dog Zoey went to the Smoky Mountains to camp on Dec 8th. … The National Park Service are currently searching for him with teams and infrared drones near Buxton. I’m asking for prayers that he is found safe and send this to friends you might know in the mention areas. Thank you very much.” The family’s transparency about Palmer’s travel habits and their timeline has helped clarify the scope of the search, but so far, no significant leads have surfaced.

The circumstances surrounding Palmer’s disappearance are perplexing. His truck was found in the opposite direction of his stated destination, and there has been no sign of either Palmer or Zoey since his last communication. The vehicle’s condition—a red Ford F-250 stuck on a remote beach—raises further questions. Did Palmer become disoriented, or did something unexpected happen along the way? The NPS and local authorities have not disclosed any evidence of foul play, but the lack of clues has left the community uneasy.

Cape Hatteras itself is no stranger to missing persons or challenging rescues. Its vast stretches of undeveloped land and unpredictable weather can quickly turn a simple outing into a survival situation. Park officials have highlighted the area’s reputation as both a destination for adventure seekers and a place where the elements can be unforgiving. As Ocracoke-nc.com notes, Cape Point is considered the best surf fishing beach on the East Coast, but it is also remote, requiring four-wheel-drive vehicles and a healthy respect for the tides and sand conditions.

As the days pass, the search for Chris Palmer and Zoey continues. The NPS, with support from local law enforcement and volunteers, remains committed to finding answers. The agency’s call for public assistance has been echoed by news outlets and on social media, with the hope that someone, somewhere, might have seen something that could break the case open. “Anyone who was in the Cape Point area on the evening of Jan. 11, or who may have information related to Palmer’s whereabouts, is encouraged to come forward,” the NPS reiterated in its latest updates.

For now, Palmer’s family and friends wait anxiously, holding out hope for his safe return. The mystery of his disappearance underscores both the allure and the dangers of America’s wild places—a reminder that even in the age of GPS and constant connectivity, nature still holds its secrets. As the investigation presses on, the community remains vigilant, united in the search for Chris Palmer and his faithful companion.

ALARMING DEVELOPMENT: On the 9th, Chris texted his family saying he was heading to West Virginia — but hours later, his phone’s location showed him hundreds of miles away in OBX. Investigators now fear Chris and Zoey may still be in the mountains, while his truck and phone have been stolen — and the phone’s location is raising even more disturbing questions…

The disappearance of 39-year-old Chris Palmer from Arkansas and his German Shepherd, Zoey, has generated increasing speculation online about foul play, theft, or a deliberate misdirection. The latest viral claim—an “alarming development” suggesting Palmer texted family on January 9 about heading to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, yet his phone’s location pings placed him hundreds of miles away in the Outer Banks (OBX) hours later—has fueled theories that his truck and phone were stolen, potentially leaving him stranded in the mountains. Investigators are said to fear Palmer and Zoey remain in remote Appalachian terrain, while the vehicle’s anomalous path raises “disturbing questions” about what happened to the phone.

As of January 23, 2026 (with updates from NPS as recent as January 22), no official sources confirm theft of the truck or phone, nor do they indicate Palmer is believed to be in the mountains rather than near the discovery site. Authorities continue to focus efforts in North Carolina’s Cape Hatteras National Seashore area, where the truck was found, emphasizing that Palmer may still be in the vicinity with Zoey. No public evidence supports a major shift to mountain searches or confirmed phone theft.

Detailed Timeline and Communications

Palmer, an experienced outdoorsman with military background, level-5 whitewater certification, and a track record of safe solo trips, maintained regular contact with family during his December 2025–January 2026 camping journey.

December 8–27, 2025: Camped near Boone Fork in the Smoky Mountains.
December 25: Called family, planning to move to George Washington National Forest (Virginia) around December 28, staying until ~January 7, 2026.
January 4: Texted confirming he was still in George Washington National Forest and extending his stay.
January 9: Final known contact—a text stating he was heading to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. He also sent a short video of the terrain, citing spotty cell service that prevented a call.

No further messages, calls, or check-ins occurred—highly atypical for Palmer, described by family as responsible, devoted to Zoey, and consistent in updates.

On January 12, 2026, National Park Service (NPS) rangers discovered his red 2017 Ford F-250 truck stuck on a remote beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore near Cape Point, Buxton, North Carolina. This off-road-accessible area (via ramps like Ramp 43) is isolated and roughly 6+ hours southeast of Monongahela—completely opposite his stated direction.

Vehicle details from recovery and family shares:

Keys in ignition.
Valuables present: shotgun, safe, camping gear.
Essentials missing: clothing, winter coat (vital in cold weather), Zoey’s bowls/supplies.
No immediate signs of violence.

The truck went unclaimed, prompting Arkansas authorities to declare Palmer missing on January 16.

Phone Location Data and the “Hundreds of Miles” Discrepancy

Recent NPS updates (January 20–22) released key details from Palmer’s phone: pings placed it near Avon (Hatteras Island) on the evening of January 10 and near Cape Point in Buxton on January 11. Dare County traffic camera footage shows the truck in the area as early as the afternoon of January 9—with a blue-and-white kayak in the bed.

This timeline creates the core anomaly: Palmer’s last message on January 9 referenced heading to West Virginia (hundreds of miles northwest), yet phone data and surveillance place him (or at least his device and vehicle) in the Outer Banks by that same afternoon/evening into January 10–11. Visitor reports also note the truck stuck on the beach as early as January 11.

The kayak was absent when the truck was recovered on January 12—leading to theories Palmer may have used it for a water excursion (fitting his skills), potentially with Zoey, but encountered hazards like strong currents, cold water, or an accident.

No official statements describe the phone as “stolen” or suggest separate theft scenarios. Instead, NPS and regional reports (People, The US Sun, WITN, Island Free Press, Charlotte Observer) treat the discrepancy as unexplained but central to focusing searches locally in Dare County/Outer Banks. Phone pings align with the truck’s path, not indicating post-disappearance movement by a thief.

Current Investigation Focus and Search Efforts

NPS continues appeals for tips, stating Palmer “may still be in the area” (Cape Hatteras vicinity) and likely traveling with Zoey. Efforts include:

Ground teams searching beaches, dunes, marshes, and forested edges.
Infrared drones for heat signatures (accounting for both human and canine).
Calls for public input from boaters, visitors, or locals with photos/videos from January 9–12.

The United Cajun Navy has joined at family request (Palmer’s father, Bren Palmer, reached out), seeking aerial support (helicopters/planes) for difficult terrain. No confirmed sightings of Palmer, Zoey, or the kayak have surfaced.

Social media speculation (including X posts suggesting mountain searches or truck theft) circulates, but official channels prioritize the OBX location. Family insists Palmer wouldn’t vanish voluntarily or abandon Zoey.

Why the Case Remains Unresolved

The rapid shift from Appalachian plans to coastal North Carolina—without explanation—fuels concern. Even skilled individuals face risks: hypothermia, tides, isolation, or rare foul play. Selective missing items suggest possible intent (e.g., water outing), but the directional mismatch and silence raise questions.

Public awareness is key. Anyone in the Cape Hatteras/Buxton area January 9–12 with recollections of:

The red Ford F-250 (stuck or moving).
A man with a German Shepherd.
A blue-and-white kayak.
Unusual activity on remote beaches.

Should contact authorities immediately.

These images show representative views of Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s remote beaches, dunes, and ocean access points where the truck was located—highlighting the isolation and challenging search terrain.

Examples of a red Ford F-250 similar to Palmer’s vehicle and a typical blue-and-white kayak, as seen in surveillance footage.

Illustrative scenes of German Shepherds in outdoor/coastal settings, representing Zoey.

Contact:

NPS Investigative Services Bureau: 888-653-0009
NPS online tip form
911 for active/emergency sightings

Hope persists for a safe resolution. Developments can shift rapidly—rely on verified NPS or family/United Cajun Navy updates rather than unconfirmed online claims.