@unitedcajunnavyofficial

Missing person— Chris Palmer. Chris’ father, Bren Palmer, reached out as the search for his son continues in the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. Chris has been missing since early January and his truck was located on the beach near Cape Point, but Chris has not been seen. Please keep Bren, the Palmer family, and the volunteers and agencies working on the ground in your prayers as the search continues. Anyone with credible information or sightings is asked to contact the National Park Service Tip Line at 888-653-0009. United is strength #unitedcajunnavy #Missingperson #searchandrescue #chrispalmer

♬ original sound – United Cajun Navy Official

National Park Service seeking public’s help to locate missing man

BUXTON, N.C., (WAVY)– 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.

HEARTBREAKING: Chris Palmer’s father confirms an anomaly in his car, and details inside his phone are even more shocking

The disappearance of 39-year-old Chris Palmer from Arkansas and his German Shepherd, Zoey, continues to baffle investigators and the public as new online claims emerge of a “heartbreaking” confirmation from Palmer’s father, Bren Palmer, regarding an “anomaly” in his son’s truck—coupled with “even more shocking” details from inside the phone. These reports, circulating in sensational headlines and social media as of January 23, 2026, suggest a major investigative shift or revelation.

However, based on the most recent official updates from the National Park Service (NPS, as late as January 22), regional news coverage (WRAL, WTKR, WVEC, The US Sun, and others), and family-linked appeals (including Bren Palmer’s outreach to groups like the United Cajun Navy), no such confirmed “anomaly” in the truck or shocking phone details have been publicly disclosed by authorities or Bren Palmer himself. Bren Palmer has shared a detailed timeline on Facebook and contacted volunteer search teams, expressing heartbreak over the unexplained detour and lack of contact, but his statements focus on the truck’s anomalous location, the missing kayak, and pleas for prayers and tips—without mentioning new interior anomalies or phone shocks.

This latest claim follows a series of unverified rumors (e.g., DNA on fabric, buried dry bags, passenger-seat discoveries) that have amplified speculation but remain unsubstantiated in credible sources. The case stays centered on the truck’s discovery far from Palmer’s planned route, phone pings aligning with the Outer Banks area, and ongoing local searches.

Timeline and Key Facts

Palmer, a highly experienced outdoorsman with military training, level-5 whitewater certification, and a history of safe solo adventures, was meticulous about family updates during his winter camping trip.

December 8–27, 2025: Camped near Boone Fork in the Smoky Mountains.
December 25: Called family, planning to head to George Washington National Forest (Virginia) around December 28, staying until ~January 7, 2026.
January 4: Text confirming he was still in George Washington National Forest and extending his stay.
January 9: Final contact—text about moving to Monongahela National Forest (West Virginia); sent a short terrain video due to spotty signal.

No further communication followed, which family describe as completely out of character. Palmer was devoted to Zoey and always checked in.

On January 12, 2026, NPS rangers located his red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on a remote beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore near Cape Point, Buxton, North Carolina. This isolated off-road area is ~6+ hours southeast of his last plans—in the opposite direction.

Vehicle recovery notes (from NPS and family shares):

Keys in ignition.

Valuables intact: shotgun, safe, camping gear.
Essentials missing: clothing, winter coat (essential in cold January), Zoey’s bowls/supplies.
No immediate signs of struggle or violence.

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

Surveillance, Phone Data, and the Kayak

Dare County traffic cameras captured the truck in Dare County as early as January 9 afternoon, with a blue-and-white kayak in the bed. Additional sightings placed it on the beach January 10–11. The kayak was missing when recovered on January 12—prompting theories Palmer may have paddled out (consistent with his expertise) but faced winter ocean hazards like currents, cold water, or an accident.

Phone data (released by NPS January 20–22) shows pings near Avon on the evening of January 10 and near Cape Point on January 11—aligning with the truck’s location, not indicating theft or separate movement post-disappearance.

No official reports mention the phone being abandoned elsewhere (e.g., 2km from the truck, as in some unverified social posts) or shocking contents like messages, photos, or logs revealing foul play.

Addressing the “Heartbreaking” Claim from Bren Palmer

Bren Palmer has been vocal in appeals: He posted a detailed Facebook timeline explaining the family’s shock at the truck’s location and has contacted the United Cajun Navy for support, including requests for aerial searches in difficult terrain. In videos and shares, he expresses deep concern, noting Chris’s reliability and bond with Zoey, and pleads for prayers and tips.

However, no statements from Bren Palmer confirm a specific “anomaly” in the truck (beyond its unexpected position and missing items) or “shocking” phone details. Family emphasis remains on the directional mismatch, the kayak’s absence, and the need for public help in the Outer Banks—not new forensic shocks or interior discoveries.

If such evidence existed (e.g., unusual items in the truck, deleted messages, or location anomalies in phone data), it would likely trigger an NPS update or media release, given the case’s visibility in regional outlets. Current efforts prioritize the Cape Hatteras vicinity, with no pivot to theft scenarios or mountain searches.

Ongoing Search and Broader Context

NPS searches include ground teams, infrared drones (for heat from Palmer or Zoey), and public appeals. The United Cajun Navy assists, urging aerial support. Family rules out voluntary disappearance: Chris wouldn’t abandon Zoey or go silent.

Risks in remote coastal areas remain high for even experts: hypothermia, tides, isolation. The truck’s spot (accessible only via designated ramps) and selective missing items suggest a possible water excursion—but the unexplained detour fuels uncertainty.

Tips are vital, especially from January 9–12 in Cape Hatteras/Buxton:

Sightings of the red Ford F-250, man with German Shepherd, blue-and-white kayak.
Photos/videos from beaches, boats, drones.

Contact:

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

These images show remote Cape Hatteras National Seashore beaches, dunes, and ocean access—highlighting the isolation where the truck was found and searches continue.

Representative views of a red Ford F-250 similar to Palmer’s and a blue-and-white kayak as noted in surveillance.

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

Hope remains for a safe resolution. Developments change quickly—follow official NPS channels or family/United Cajun Navy updates for verified information, and share responsibly to generate accurate leads.