Missing man’s truck last seen at Cape Hatteras National Seashore

The National Park Service is working to find a missing man. 39-year-old Chris Palmer’s truck was found on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Jan. 12.The National Park Service is working to find a missing man. 39-year-old Chris Palmer’s truck was found on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Jan. 12, and his family has not heard from him for weeks.

Officials believe Palmer was traveling with his German shepherd and could still be in the Outer Banks area.

Anyone who has seen Palmer or knows where he might be is asked to call the National Park Service tip line at 888-653-0009.

The disappearance of 39-year-old Chris Palmer from Arkansas has taken a intriguing turn with reports of additional surveillance footage capturing potentially significant moments before he departed the beach in his kayak. This development adds layers of mystery to an already concerning case that has drawn attention from the National Park Service (NPS), family members, and online communities dedicated to missing persons.

Palmer, described as a Caucasian male standing about 5’6″ tall with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes, was last in contact with his family on January 9, 2026. He had embarked on what was intended as a camping trip starting in the Smoky Mountains around December 8, 2025, and later indicated plans to head to the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. However, his red 2017 Ford F-250 truck was discovered abandoned and stuck in the sand on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, on January 12, 2026 (with some early reports citing January 10). The vehicle was found near Cape Point, between off-road vehicle ramps 43 and 44, in an area known for challenging beach driving conditions. Notably, Palmer was traveling with his German Shepherd dog named Zoey, and neither has been located since.

Arkansas authorities officially declared him missing on January 16, 2026. The NPS has actively sought public assistance, urging anyone in the Cape Point vicinity on the evening of January 11 or with relevant information to contact their tip line at 888-653-0009 or emergency services. Searches have focused on the Outer Banks region, with speculation that Palmer and Zoey may still be in the area.

A key element emerging in recent updates involves Palmer’s kayak. Family statements, shared via social media and echoed by witnesses, indicate that surveillance cameras (likely from nearby businesses, docks, or public areas) captured Palmer arriving at the beach with the kayak secured to or on his truck. An eyewitness has come forward claiming to have seen him carrying or unloading the kayak upon arrival. Crucially, when authorities located the abandoned truck, the kayak was absent, suggesting Palmer may have taken it into the water.

The latest reported breakthrough centers on additional CCTV footage described in online discussions and family updates. This material allegedly shows unusual activity just prior to Palmer leaving the beach in the kayak. In one blurry segment, Palmer appears to turn his head abruptly, as if responding to something or someone off-camera—possibly a signal, sound, or unexpected presence. This moment reportedly aligns with the unexplained activation of a nearby motion sensor, which triggered recording or an alert without any visible cause in the frame. While details remain limited and unverified by official sources, these elements have fueled speculation about external involvement, an interruption, or Palmer reacting to environmental factors like wildlife, weather shifts, or another individual.

The footage’s poor quality has made clear interpretation difficult, but the combination of the head turn and sensor trigger raises questions: Was Palmer alone, or did he encounter someone? Did an environmental hazard, such as incoming tides or strong currents common in the Outer Banks, play a role? Or could foul play be a factor in this remote coastal setting? No official confirmation of this specific “breaking” footage has appeared in major news outlets yet, but it circulates in missing persons forums, Facebook groups (including pages like “Find Chris Palmer”), Reddit threads (e.g., r/MissingPersons), and X posts from search-and-rescue networks like the United Cajun Navy.

The Outer Banks, particularly Cape Hatteras, presents unique challenges for search efforts. Strong ocean currents, shifting sands, and barrier islands can make kayaking hazardous, especially in winter conditions. Authorities and family have suggested Palmer might have paddled to a nearby island or inlet, explaining the missing kayak and lack of immediate signs of him or Zoey near the truck. His phone last pinged in the area of the vehicle, but service is spotty in remote beach zones.

Palmer is portrayed by loved ones as an experienced outdoorsman—familiar with camping, paddling, and handling rough conditions. This background makes a voluntary venture into the water plausible, yet the deviation from his stated travel plans (heading hundreds of miles off-course to North Carolina instead of West Virginia) remains unexplained. No signs of struggle were reported at the truck scene, and no personal belongings (beyond the absent kayak) have been highlighted as missing or suspicious.

As the case enters its second week-plus without resolution, the family continues to appeal for shares and sightings. Volunteers, including groups like the United Cajun Navy, have mobilized, and the NPS emphasizes that even small details from visitors could prove vital. The additional CCTV details, if substantiated, could prompt renewed scrutiny of surrounding cameras, witness re-interviews, or expanded water searches.

The Palmer family endures an agonizing wait, clinging to hope amid growing uncertainty. Whether the unusual activity in the footage points to a benign explanation—like a wildlife sighting or wave noise—or something more sinister, it underscores how quickly a routine adventure can turn into a haunting mystery. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to reach out to authorities promptly, as time remains critical in cases like this.