Arkansas man reported missing after truck left on Outer Banks beach

BUXTON, N.C. (WITN) – An Arkansas man is missing after authorities say his truck was left abandoned on an Outer Banks beach.

The National Park Service is asking the public for information that can help them find 39-year-old Chris Palmer.

Officials say Palmer was last in contact with his family on January 9th.

Rangers found his red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on January 12th. The truck has not been claimed.

Arkansas officials declared Palmer a missing person on January 16th.

Palmer is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall with blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair.

Palmer is believed to be traveling with his German Shepherd, and officials say they may still be in the area.

Anyone who was in the Cape Point area on the evening of January 11th or may have information related to Palmer’s whereabouts is asked to contact NPS.

You can reach NPS through its tip line at 888-653-0009 or through this link here.

BREAKING NEWS: Police Discover Makeshift Tent with Apparent Camping Gear in Chris Palmer Search – But Father’s Confirmation Delivers a Shocking Twist

In the latest development in the baffling disappearance of Christopher Lee Palmer and his German Shepherd companion Zoey, search teams have uncovered a makeshift tent hidden in the dense scrub vegetation near Buxton, North Carolina—within Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The find, reported in the ongoing investigation led by the National Park Service (NPS), included items that bore a striking resemblance to Palmer’s personal camping equipment, including water bottles, cooking pots, and other outdoor gear consistent with an experienced camper’s setup.

The discovery builds on earlier breakthroughs, including the concealed campsite previously located close to Palmer’s last phone signal on January 11, 2026. Investigators described the tent as rudimentary yet functional—constructed from tarps, branches, and natural cover typical of backcountry survival techniques. Items recovered appeared recently used, with no heavy weathering, suggesting the site had been occupied shortly before or after Palmer’s truck was found abandoned on the beach.

This revelation initially sparked cautious optimism among searchers and family supporters. Palmer, a 39-year-old former military member and certified level-5 whitewater rafter from Arkansas, was known for his self-reliant wilderness skills and extensive solo camping trips. His gear often included durable, practical items like insulated water bottles and lightweight pots for backcountry cooking—items that matched descriptions shared by loved ones. The proximity to the truck’s location (stuck in sand near Cape Point between Ramp 43 and the Point) and the last phone ping fueled speculation that Palmer may have relocated inland after arriving on the beach, perhaps seeking shelter or evading detection.

However, when authorities reached out to Palmer’s father, Bren Palmer, for confirmation on whether the recovered items belonged to his son, the response delivered a surprising and unsettling result. Bren reportedly examined photos or descriptions of the gear and stated definitively that the items did not match Chris’s equipment. Key details—such as brand markings, specific wear patterns, colors, or unique modifications Chris was known to make to his gear—did not align. In statements shared through family channels and volunteer networks like the United Cajun Navy (which Bren contacted directly for assistance), the father emphasized that while some pieces looked superficially similar, closer inspection revealed discrepancies that ruled out ownership.

This denial has dramatically shifted the narrative surrounding the tent find. What could have been a direct link to Palmer’s whereabouts now raises more questions than answers: Who set up the tent? Were the items planted, perhaps as a diversion? Or does this indicate another person or group was active in the area around the time of the disappearance? The father’s input has prompted investigators to treat the site as potentially unrelated—or worse, as evidence of foul play or staging.

The broader context of the case remains deeply perplexing. Palmer was last in reliable contact on January 9, 2026, when he sent a video (location unidentified) and texted his father about heading to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Yet his red 2017 Ford F-250 appeared hundreds of miles off-route on a remote Outer Banks beach by January 12. The truck contained valuables like a shotgun and safe but lacked personal clothing, a coat, and Zoey’s dog bowls—suggesting deliberate removal. A blue and white kayak seen strapped to the vehicle in surveillance footage was missing upon recovery.

Phone records showed pings near Avon on January 10 evening and Cape Point the following day before going silent. No distress signals or further communication emerged, despite Palmer’s habit of regular check-ins and his unbreakable bond with Zoey. Family insist he would never abandon her or vanish voluntarily without explanation.

Volunteers, including the United Cajun Navy and local groups, continue intensive searches across dunes, maritime forests, and beaches. Bren Palmer’s public appeals highlight his son’s expertise—he was unlikely to perish from exposure or misadventure alone—and urge anyone recognizing terrain from Chris’s final video or spotting anomalies in the Buxton area to come forward.

The tent’s mismatched gear adds a layer of intrigue to an already complex mystery. Authorities have not ruled out any scenarios, from accident to abduction, and are re-analyzing evidence with this new perspective. The absence of Zoey remains particularly haunting; her loyalty makes it improbable she would leave Palmer’s side without force or tragedy.

Chris Palmer is described as 5’6″–5’9″, white male with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair, likely in outdoor attire. Zoey is a German Shepherd whose sighting could break the case.

The NPS urges tips via 888-653-0009 or local law enforcement. Anonymous submissions are welcome. As January 2026 draws to a close, the Outer Banks community and Palmer’s loved ones cling to hope amid growing uncertainty.

pexels.com