The National Park Service is seeking the assistance of the public in locating a missing man.

Christopher Lee Palmer, 39, was last in contact with family members on January 9. National Park Service rangers located Palmer’s red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on January 12. The vehicle remained unclaimed, and Arkansas authorities officially declared Palmer a missing person on January 16.

According to Dare County Officials, Palmer’s vehicle was seen on traffic camera footage as early as January 9 with a blue and white kayak was observed in the back. The kayak was not in the vehicle when it was located on the beach.

Additionally, pings to Palmer’s mobile phone indicate that the phone was located near Avon on the evening of January 10 and near Cape Point in Buxton on January 11.

Palmer is described as a Caucasian man, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair.

Officials say Palmer is believed to be traveling with his German shepherd and may still be in the area.

Anyone who was in the Cape Point area on the evening of January 11 or who may have information related to Palmer’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact The National Park Service at 888-653-0009 or submit a tip online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip.

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The disappearance of 39-year-old Chris Palmer from Arkansas and his German Shepherd, Zoey, has prompted growing concern among search teams and the public, particularly as a “worrying hypothesis” circulates online: a seasoned kayaker reportedly warned of strong offshore currents on the day Palmer and Zoey are believed to have arrived in the area, suggesting they may have launched into the water and ended up in an “undiscovered location” (potentially swept far offshore, to remote inlets, or lost at sea).

As of January 24, 2026 (early morning updates), no official National Park Service (NPS) statement, family confirmation, or verified media report substantiates a specific kayaker’s warning about currents on January 9–11 or identifies a precise “undiscovered location.” The hypothesis aligns with the prominent theory that Palmer— a level-5 certified whitewater kayaker with extensive outdoor experience—may have taken his blue-and-white kayak out for a paddle excursion from the remote Cape Hatteras beach, possibly with Zoey, but encountered hazardous winter conditions. NPS and regional sources continue to focus searches in the Cape Hatteras National Seashore vicinity, with no pivot to distant offshore or undiscovered sites based on new eyewitness claims.

Recap of the Case and Established Evidence

Palmer, known for military training, survival expertise, and regular family communication, was on a multi-park camping trip with Zoey starting in December 2025.

December 8–27, 2025: Near Boone Fork in the Smoky Mountains.
December 25: Called family, planning George Washington National Forest (Virginia) until ~January 7, 2026.
January 4: Text confirming extension in Virginia.
January 9: Final contact—text about heading to Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia); sent terrain video amid poor signal.

Silence followed—unusual for Palmer, who family describe as inseparable from Zoey and always accountable.

On January 12, 2026, NPS rangers found his red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on a secluded beach near Cape Point, Buxton, North Carolina (Cape Hatteras National Seashore, off-road via ramps like Ramp 43)—~6+ hours southeast of planned route.

Vehicle notes:

Keys in ignition.
Valuables: shotgun, safe, gear.
Missing: clothing, winter coat, Zoey’s bowls/supplies.
No struggle signs.

Declared missing January 16 by Arkansas authorities.

Surveillance, Phone Data, and Kayak Focus

Dare County traffic cameras placed the truck in Dare County by January 9 afternoon, kayak visible in bed. Sightings continued January 10–11; kayak absent at recovery.

Phone pings: near Avon evening January 10, Cape Point January 11—consistent with truck location.

NPS (January 20–22 updates) emphasizes Palmer “may still be in the area” with Zoey. Searches involve ground teams, infrared drones, and volunteer aid (United Cajun Navy coordinating with local groups like Avon Fire Department, Mission Mules; requesting aerial support amid approaching ice storm).

No confirmed kayak recovery or distant drift reports.

The “Worrying Hypothesis”: Currents and Kayaking Risks

Winter Atlantic waters off Cape Hatteras are notorious for powerful currents (e.g., influenced by Gulf Stream, Diamond Shoals’ shifting sands, rip currents, and cold fronts). Even skilled kayakers face risks: capsizing, hypothermia (water temps ~50–60°F in January), fatigue with a large dog aboard, or being swept miles offshore/inland.

The hypothesis posits Palmer launched amid strong currents spotted/warned about that day, leading to an “undiscovered” fate—possibly washed to uninhabited shoals, remote Pamlico Sound inlets, or lost at sea. This fits the missing kayak and selective missing items (suggesting water prep), but remains speculative without a named kayaker witness or current data tied to January 9–11.

Official efforts stay land/coastal-focused (dunes, marshes, beaches); no expanded marine/current modeling or offshore boat searches publicly noted. Family/rescue appeals stress prayers, tips, and aviation help as weather worsens.

Ongoing Efforts and Call for Tips

Multi-agency/volunteer work continues; United Cajun Navy urges aircraft for terrain coverage. Public input vital—especially January 9–12 sightings in Cape Hatteras/Buxton:

Truck, man with German Shepherd, blue-and-white kayak.
Beach activity, water launches, debris.

Contact:

NPS Investigative Services Bureau: 888-653-0009
NPS tip form
911 for urgent

These images depict Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s rugged beaches, strong wave action, and offshore conditions near Cape Point—illustrating potential hazards for kayakers in winter.

Representative blue-and-white kayak models, similar to what surveillance showed in Palmer’s truck bed.

Typical scenes of German Shepherds on coastal outings or in watercraft, evoking Zoey accompanying Palmer.

Remote, isolated stretches of Outer Banks shoreline and dunes—central to searches, with driftwood and currents common.

Hope remains for a safe outcome despite mounting worries. Monitor NPS, family (e.g., Bren Palmer posts), or United Cajun Navy for verified updates—developments can shift fast. Share accurate info to support leads.