Chris Palmer, 39, made last contact with his family on Jan. 9, park authorities said

Photo of Chris Palmer kneeling next to his dog.

Chris Palmer.
Credit : National Park Service

Authorities are searching for a man who was reported missing with his dog after a truck belonging to him was found on a North Carolina beach nearly two weeks ago.

The National Park Service stated in a Tuesday, Jan. 20, news release that Chris Palmer, 39, last made contact with his family on Jan. 9.

Three days later, on Jan. 12, park rangers found Palmer’s red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the NPS further said. The vehicle went unclaimed, and Arkansas authorities declared Palmer missing on Jan. 16.

“Palmer is believed to be traveling with his German shepherd and may still be in the area,” the news release read.

In a Thursday, Jan. 22, update, the NPS said that upon review of Dare County traffic camera footage, investigators believe Palmer’s truck was in Dare County, N.C., as early as the afternoon of Jan. 9. At the time, a blue and white kayak was seen in the back of the vehicle.

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

Visitors also noted that the truck had been stuck on the beach on Jan. 11, a day before park rangers located the vehicle.

Dare County traffic camera image of Chris Palmer's vehicle and kayak on the afternoon of Jan. 9.

Dare County traffic camera image of Chris Palmer’s vehicle and kayak on the afternoon of Jan. 9, 2026.
National Park Service
“The blue and white kayak, which was observed in traffic camera footage, was not in the vehicle and has not yet been found,” the post continued.

Palmer is described as approximately 5’ 6” tall, with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair, the NPS said.

As reported by The Charlotte Observer, relatives noted on social media that Palmer and his dog Zoey had gone camping in a number of national parks in the area since December. They said that he would call the family to let them where he was going and when he was returning.

“The national park service are currently searching for him with teams and infrared drones near buxton,” said Bren Palmer, who identified herself in a Facebook post as Chris’ mom. “Im [sic] asking for prayers that he is found safe and send this to friends you might know in the mention areas.”

Bren also noted that her son’s truck was found abandoned on the beach “hours away in the opposite direction he was headed.”