Heartbreaking turn in the search for Chris Palmer: after days of hope, the discovery of his belongings has left his family fearing the unthinkable — and his father’s discovery has broken hearts nationwide

MISSING hiker Chris Palmer is believed to be dead, his family has said, after investigators located his belongings.

His father Bren has issued an emotional statement confirming the end of the search for his son after he discovered a heartbreaking truth about his son’s final days.

Chris Palmer, 39, and his dog Zoey were declared missing after his abandoned truck was found in the Outer Banks in North Carolina on January 12Credit: National Park Service

Christopher’s father Bren (R) revealed that his son had unknowingly to the family, been diagnosed with a terminal illness and is believed to have committed su::::ici:::deCredit: Facebook

Chris, 39, from Arkansas, was last seen exploring North Carolina‘s Outer Banks with his dog Zoey before he was declared missing on January 16, days after officials found his abandoned Ford F-250 on January 12.

The case quickly took an eerie turn when investigators shared a new surveillance image of the truck from January 9 showing a blue and white kayak in the bed which was not there when they came across the vehicle.

His father revealed that the family hadn’t heard from the hiker, who was on a road trip through the National Parks, since the day the surveillance image was taken.

However, an emotional update given by Chris’ father on Saturday appears to solve the kayak riddle that had investigators stumped.

“With heavy hearts and profound sorrow, we, the family of Christopher Palmer, have made the difficult decision to request that all active search efforts for our son cease,” he wrote on Facebook.

“We recently learned that Christopher was facing a terminal illness.”

He noted how his son’s personal belongings were found along the coastline and “our family believes he perished at sea”.

Chris’ body, his kayak, and his dog, have not yet been found or recovered.

His father has said that the family have managed to find a level of “peace” after learning of Chris’ diagnosis, saying “knowing this has helped us understand the choices he made.”

“Christopher loved the outdoors and valued his independence. The treatments ahead would have taken much of that away, and he did not want that future for himself,” he wrote.

Timeline of Chris Palmer’s disappearance

January 9 – Palmer texts his dad and says he is heading to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia
January 12 – Palmer’s abandoned Ford F-250 is found at Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
January 16 – Palmer is declared missing by authorities in Arkansas, where he is from
January 22 – Officials release new surveillance that shows a kayak used to be in the bed of Palmer’s truck
January 24 – His father Bren reveals his belongings were found on the coastline and he is believed to have died at sea after being diagnosed with a terminal illness.

“We are deeply proud of the man Christopher was, and we hope his story brings awareness to the emotional and mental burdens people can face during serious medical challenges.

“We would like to thank the United Cajun Navy and every volunteer, first responder, and community member who searched for our son.

“It has been profoundly humbling to see so many people care for someone they never met.

“Our family is at peace and asks that Christopher’s memory and the safety of others be respected as we seek closure.”