The disappearance of 39-year-old Chris Palmer from Arkansas and his German Shepherd, Zoey, remains a deeply concerning and active case as of January 24, 2026. The latest circulating claim—described as “heartbreaking”—comes from purported statements by friends: that Palmer treated kayaking as “second nature,” often venturing out alone at dawn to study ocean currents in the same meticulous way others study maps. He allegedly favored quiet, low-visibility routes between breakwaters, and a personal tide notebook was reportedly found folded inside a waterproof bag.

These details, if accurate, would reinforce the prevailing theory of a kayaking-related incident, highlighting Palmer’s expertise and routine habits that could have led him into hazardous conditions. However, no official confirmation from the National Park Service (NPS), family members (including father Bren Palmer), volunteer groups like the United Cajun Navy, or mainstream media outlets (e.g., The US Sun, Island Free Press, People.com, WRAL, WTKR) supports the discovery of a tide notebook or waterproof bag. No public statements from friends detail these specific behaviors or items beyond Palmer’s known level-5 whitewater certification and preference for solo outdoor pursuits. This follows a series of unverified online rumors (e.g., specialized knots on rope, silent landing practices, buried dry bags) that have heightened speculation but lack backing from credible sources.

Case Background and Key Timeline

Palmer, an experienced outdoorsman with military training, survival skills, and a history of leading expeditions, was on a planned winter camping trip through national forests, always sharing updates with family.

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

Communication ceased abruptly afterward, which family and friends describe as highly unusual given Palmer’s close bond with Zoey and disciplined check-in routine.

On January 12, 2026, NPS rangers located his red 2017 Ford F-250 truck stuck on a remote beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore near Cape Point, Buxton, North Carolina. This isolated, off-road-accessible area (via ramps like Ramp 43) is roughly 6+ hours southeast of his stated plans—in the opposite direction entirely.

Vehicle findings:

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

Arkansas authorities declared him missing on January 16.

Surveillance, Phone Data, and the Kayak Focus

Dare County traffic camera footage (released by NPS January 20–22) shows the truck in Dare County as early as the afternoon of January 9, with a blue-and-white kayak in the bed. Visitor reports placed it stuck on the beach January 10–11. The kayak was absent when recovered on January 12—central to theories that Palmer may have launched for a paddle, potentially with Zoey, but encountered dangers like strong currents, cold water shock, or capsizing.

Phone pings align with this:

Near Avon on the evening of January 10.
Near Cape Point, Buxton on January 11.

NPS states Palmer “may still be in the area” (Cape Hatteras vicinity) and is likely with Zoey. Searches involve ground teams combing beaches, dunes, marshes, and edges; infrared drones for heat signatures; and public appeals for tips from boaters, visitors, or locals.

The United Cajun Navy has joined efforts (at Bren Palmer’s request), intensifying calls for aerial support (helicopters/planes) ahead of winter weather challenges, including an approaching ice storm.

Examining the Latest Claim: Friends’ Insights and Tide Notebook

Friends’ alleged comments portray Palmer as deeply attuned to kayaking—treating dawn outings as analytical sessions to observe currents, preferring concealed routes between breakwaters where visibility drops quickly. This fits his certified expertise but adds a layer of routine risk-taking in low-profile areas.

The reported personal tide notebook (folded in a waterproof bag) would be significant evidence: potentially containing notes on local currents, tides, or planned routes near Cape Hatteras, supporting a water-based mishap theory. Waterproof bags are standard for protecting gear/documents during paddling.

Yet, no NPS release, news article, or family post mentions such an item or bag discovery. Official updates emphasize the missing kayak, phone pings, and truck position—without new interior finds or friend-sourced details on habits. Bren Palmer and supporters focus on sharing the timeline, the last video, Zoey’s description, and urgent pleas for tips/aerial aid.

If confirmed, these elements could refine search priorities (e.g., modeling currents from breakwater zones or targeting areas with diminished visibility). Currently, the case treats potential misadventure (kayak outing in winter seas) as primary, with foul play not excluded but unsupported by public evidence.

Broader Context and Urgent Needs

Even seasoned kayakers face perils in the Outer Banks: Diamond Shoals’ treacherous currents, rip tides, hypothermia (water ~50–60°F), and isolation. The truck’s remote spot and missing essentials suggest preparation for water activity—but the unexplained detour from Appalachian plans remains puzzling. Family insists Palmer would never abandon Zoey or vanish without reason.

Public tips are essential—particularly from January 9–12 in Cape Hatteras/Buxton:

Sightings of the red Ford F-250, man with German Shepherd, blue-and-white kayak.
Beach/water launches, unusual activity, or debris.
Photos/videos from visitors, boaters, drones.

Contact:

NPS Investigative Services Bureau: 888-653-0009
NPS online tip form
911 for immediate/emergency sightings

These images show typical Cape Hatteras National Seashore scenes: remote beaches near Cape Point with breaking waves, potential currents, and breakwater-like structures where visibility can change rapidly.

Representative blue-and-white kayaks as seen in surveillance footage of Palmer’s truck.

Examples of waterproof bags commonly used by kayakers to protect notebooks, phones, or gear from water/sand.

Illustrative tide/current study tools or notebooks—items an experienced paddler might carry for mapping conditions.

German Shepherds in coastal or water-adjacent settings, representing Zoey and the companionship central to the case.

The search persists amid weather concerns; hope for a safe resolution endures. Follow official NPS channels, family updates (e.g., Bren Palmer’s outreach), or United Cajun Navy for verified developments—share responsibly to generate accurate leads.