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Hiker, Who Went Missing with His Dog in the Outer Banks, Is Believed to Be Dead as Family Says He Has ‘Terminal Illness’

YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Chris Palmer, who went missing with his dog in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, is believed to be dead after his belongings were found along the shoreline.

  • The 39-year-old had gone camping in the Misty Mountains before telling his family the signal was too erratic to stay in touch.

  • His family has since shared that they “recently learned that Christopher was facing a terminal illness.”

A hiker, who Lost with her dog in the Outer Banks He is believed to have died after his belongings were found in North Carolina.

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 end all active search efforts for his son.

“We recently learned that Christopher is facing a terminal illness,” he wrote. Facebook January 24. “Knowing this helped us understand the choices he made. Christopher loved the outdoors and valued his independence. The treatments ahead would take away much of that, and he didn’t want that future for himself.”

Stating that Chris’ belongings were found near the shore, Bren said that his family believed that he “died at sea”.

“As heartbreaking as it was, we found a measure of peace in that understanding,” he continued. “We are deeply proud of the man Christopher was and hope his story raises awareness of the emotional and mental burdens people can face during serious medical challenges.”

“We want to thank the Joint Cajun Navy and every volunteer, first responder and community member who searched for our son,” he added. “It is extremely shameful to see so many people caring for 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 update comes three days after Chris last made contact with his family and eight days after he was officially declared missing along with his dog after a truck belonging to him was found off the coast of North Carolina on January 12. National Park Service.

National Park Service

Chris Palmer’s vehicle and kayak on the afternoon of January 9, 2026

“Palmer is believed to be traveling with his German shepherd and may still be in the area,” authorities said in a Jan. 20 press release.

Two days later, NPS posted: update After reviewing Dare County traffic camera footage, investigators believe Palmer’s truck was in Dare County on the afternoon of Jan. 9. Although the vehicle was not there when it was found on the beach, the images show that there was a blue and white canoe behind the vehicle at that time.

Bren shared on January 19 that his son went camping in the Smoky Mountains with his dog Zoey 11 days ago.

“There’s a lot of camping in the national forests,” he explained Facebook. “He lets us know when he’s going, where he’s going, and when he’s expected to return.”

Bren, who received frequent communications from Chris until Jan. 9, said his son told him the signal had become so erratic that he could not speak the day before his truck was found abandoned on the beach “hours away in the opposite direction from where he was going.”

“The National Park Service is currently searching for it with crews and infrared drones near Buxton,” he wrote at the time. “I [sic] Ask for prayers for his safe recovery and send it to friends you may know in the mentioned areas.”

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