At a Glance
- Chris Palmer, 39, went missing on January 16 after his truck was found abandoned on a North Carolina beach.
- A red 2017 Ford F-250 was discovered on January 12 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, still carrying a blue-and-white kayak.
- Authorities are using infrared drones, traffic-camera footage, and phone-pings to locate Palmer and his German shepherd, Zoey.
Chris Palmer vanished from Arkansas after a routine trip that turned into a search mission. The National Park Service (NPS) reported that his red 2017 Ford F-250 was stuck on a North Carolina beach on January 12, four days after his last contact with family on January 9. Arkansas officials declared him missing on January 16, and the search has intensified since.
Search Efforts Intensify
The NPS is deploying teams and infrared drones near Buxton to scour the shoreline and surrounding dunes. “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. She added, “I’m asking for prayers that he is found safe and send this to friends you might know in the mentioned areas.” Bren also noted that her son’s truck was found abandoned on the beach “hours away in the opposite direction he was headed.”
Traffic-Camera Clues
Investigators reviewed Dare County traffic-camera footage and believe Palmer’s truck was present in Dare County, N.C., as early as the afternoon of January 9. At that 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 January 10 and near Cape Point in Buxton on January 11,” the post read. Visitors also noted that the truck had been stuck on the beach on January 11, a day before park rangers located the vehicle.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 9 | Last contact with family; truck seen in traffic footage |
| January 10 | Phone ping near Avon |
| January 11 | Phone ping near Cape Point; truck stuck on beach |
| January 12 | Truck discovered by park rangers |
| January 16 | Arkansas declares Palmer missing |
| January 20 | NPS news release |
| January 22 | NPS updates on camera footage |
Family’s Plea
Bren Palmer posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, urging anyone with information to come forward. “The national park service are currently searching for him with teams and infrared drones near buxton,” she repeated. She also shared that Palmer and his dog Zoey had been camping in several national parks in the area since December, and he promised to call the family when he was heading out and when he returned. Bren’s post ended with a call for prayers and a request to share the message with friends who might know.
What We Know About Palmer
- Height: 5 ft 6 in
- Eyes: Blue
- Hair: Strawberry-blond
- Vehicle: Red 2017 Ford F-250
- Companion: German shepherd named Zoey
The NPS stated that the blue-and-white kayak, which was observed in traffic-camera footage, was not in the vehicle and has not yet been found. The truck’s red paint and the presence of a kayak suggest that Palmer may have been planning a kayaking excursion along the coast.
How to Help
Those with information on Chris’ whereabouts are encouraged to come forward. Tips can be submitted at 888-653-0009, online at go.nps.gov/SubmitATip or via email at [email protected]. The NPS urges anyone who may have seen a red 2017 Ford F-250 or a German shepherd near the Cape Hatteras area during the first two weeks of January to contact authorities immediately.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Palmer, 39, is missing after his truck was found abandoned on a North Carolina beach.
- Search teams and infrared drones are actively combing the shoreline and dunes.
- Traffic-camera footage and phone-pings provide a timeline of Palmer’s movements.
- Family and park officials are urging the public to share any information that could help locate him.
- The case remains open, and authorities are working around the clock to find Palmer and his dog.
