The Disappearance of Christopher Palmer

Name: Christopher Palmer
Age: 39 years old
Last Seen: January 9, 2026
Location: Outer Banks, North Carolina
Status: Still missing

Case Information

39 year old Christopher Palmer was last in contact with family members on January 9, 2026. On January 12, 2026, his vehicle was found stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Disappearance

Christopher Palmer, who lives in Arkansas, was last in contact with family members on January 9, 2026 while camping at various national parks with his dog, a German Shepherd named Zoey.

On January 12, 2026, National Park Service rangers located his red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, in the Outer Banks section of North Carolina.

The vehicle remained unclaimed for four days, with Arkansas authorities officially declaring Palmer a missing person on January 16, 2026.

Christopher is believed to be traveling with his German Shepherd and may still be in the area.

Authorities are asking anyone who was in the Cape Point area on the evening of January 11, 2026, to come forward with any information you may have.

Investigation

According to Palmer’s family, Chris and his dog were camping at various national parks in the region and had been at Washington National Forest in Virginia until January 7, 2026.

His next planned trip was to visit Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. 

On January 18, 2026, his family was notified that his truck had been found near Buxton, in the opposite direction of where he was reportedly headed.

According to a witness who claims to have video, Chris had a kayak on top of his truck when he arrived on the island, but his kayak was not with the truck when located. Chris’s phone last pinged at the site where his truck was discovered.

On January 22, 2026, new information was regarding the timeline leading up to Chris’ disappearance;

“After a review of Dare County traffic camera footage, investigators have determined that Palmer’s red 2017 Ford F-250 was in Dare County, North Carolina, as early as the afternoon of Jan. 9. A blue and white kayak was observed 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.”

Update from Chris’s family on Facebook;

Appearance

Palmer is described as being approximately 5’6 tall with blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair.

Investigating Agency

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Christopher Palmer please contact the NPS Tip Line at (888) 653-0009.

Tips can also be submitted online.

Resources & Further Information

Man And His Dog Go Missing on NC’s Outer Banks, Park Says. Truck Found on Beach – The Charlotte Observer