need to know
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Chris Palmer, missing with his dog on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, believed dead after his belongings were found on the shoreline
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The 39-year-old went camping in the Great Smoky Mountains before telling his family the signal was too spotty to stay in touch
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His family has since said they “recently learned that Christopher is facing a terminal illness”
A hiker who went missing with his dog on North Carolina’s Outer Banks is believed to be dead after his belongings were found.
Two weeks after 39-year-old Chris Palmer went missing in North Carolina, his father, Bren Palmer, shared on social media that he and his family had made the “difficult decision” to halt all active search efforts for his son.
On January 24, he wrote on Facebook: “We recently learned that Christopher is facing a terminal illness. Knowing this helps us understand the choices he has made. Christopher loves the outdoors and values his independence. Future treatments will take away much of his independence and he does not want that future for himself.”
Noting that Chris’ belongings were found near the shoreline, Bren said the family believes he “died at sea.”
“As heartbreaking as this is, we find a level of peace in this understanding,” he continued. “We are deeply proud of the person Christopher is and we hope his story will bring awareness to the emotional and mental toll people can face with serious medical challenges.”
“We want to thank Cajun Unified and every volunteer, first responder and community member who searched for our son,” he added. “I am deeply humbled to see so many people caring about someone they have never met. Our family is at peace and asks that Christopher’s memory and the safety of others be respected as we seek closure.”
The latest news comes eight days after Chris was officially declared missing with his dog, according to the National Park Service. A truck belonging to Chris was found on a beach in North Carolina on January 12, three days after he last had contact with his family.
national park service
Chris Palmer’s Vehicles and Kayaks January 9, 2026 at pm
In a Jan. 20 press release, officials said, “Palmer is believed to be traveling with his German Shepherd and may still be in the area.”
Two days later, NPS said in an update that after reviewing Dare County traffic camera footage, investigators believe Palmer’s truck was in Dare County as early as the afternoon of Jan. 9. While the truck was not there when the vehicle was found on the beach, video shows a blue and white kayak in the back of the vehicle at the time.
Bren revealed on January 19 that his son went camping in the Great Smoky Mountains 11 days ago with his dog Zoey.
“He often camped in the national forest,” he explained on Facebook. “He let us know when and where he was going and when he expected to return.”
Although he received regular communications from Chris until Jan. 9, Brun noted that the day before his truck was found abandoned on the beach, his son told him that the signal had become too spotty for calls.
“The National Park Service is currently sending teams and infrared drones near Buxton to search for him,” he wrote at the time. “I am [sic] Please pray for his safety and send this message to friends you may know in the mentioned area. ”
Read the original article on People
