Tragic Update – Missing Hiker Chris Palmer and His Dog Zoey Believed Dead

Chris Palmer, the 39-year-old hiker reported missing in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is believed to have died, his family confirmed this week. Palmer, who had been traveling with his German shepherd Zoey, vanished after his truck was found abandoned at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on January 12, 2026.

Family Confirms End of Search

In a heartfelt statement shared publicly, Palmer’s father, Bren, revealed the family recently learned Chris had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, a fact previously unknown to them. “With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we…have made the difficult decision to request that all active search efforts for our son cease,” Bren wrote.

Investigators located some of Chris’s personal belongings along the coastline, leading the family to believe he perished at sea. Chris’s body, kayak, and his dog Zoey have not yet been recovered.

A Timeline of Dissapearance

• January 9, 2026: Palmer last contacts family, heading to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.
• January 12: His abandoned red Ford F-250 is located at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. A kayak seen in earlier surveillance footage is missing.
• January 16: Arkansas authorities officially declare Palmer missing.
• January 22: Officials release surveillance showing the kayak in the truck bed earlier in the week.
• January 24: Palmer’s father announces personal belongings found; believes Chris died at sea.

For earlier coverage and details on the search efforts, see National Park Service Seeks Public Help in Search for Missing Man and His Dog.

Family Finds Some Peace

Bren Palmer expressed a bittersweet sense of understanding regarding his son’s decisions. “Christopher loved the outdoors and valued his independence. The treatments ahead would have taken much of that away, and he did not want that future for himself,” he shared.

He also thanked the United Cajun Navy, volunteers, first responders, and the wider community for their tireless search efforts, noting how humbling it was to see so many people care for someone they never met.

Continuing Awareness

While the search for Chris and Zoey has concluded, the family asks for privacy and respect as they grieve. Palmer’s story also sheds light on the emotional and mental toll of serious illness, emphasizing compassion and understanding for those facing similar challenges.

For more information on the initial search and how the public was asked to help, see the National Park Service’s call for tips here.