The family of a terminally-ill hiker who vanished with his dog has announced the heartbreaking decision to end search efforts, believing he tragically died after walking into the ocean off the Outer Banks. Christopher Palmer, 39, from Arkansas, embarked on a journey to the Smoky Mountains in early December, but his abandoned truck was discovered over a month later, sparking a widespread search that has now been halted.
Family's Heartbreaking Decision
In a poignant statement shared on Facebook, Christopher's father, Bren Palmer, revealed that the family recently learned of his son's terminal illness, which helped them understand his choices. "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. "Knowing this has helped us understand the choices he made."
Bren explained that Christopher cherished the outdoors and his independence, and the impending medical treatments would have severely limited that. "The treatments ahead would have taken much of that away, and he did not want that future for himself," he added. Personal belongings found along the coastline led the family to conclude that Christopher "perished in the sea," bringing a measure of peace amidst their grief.
Timeline of Disappearance
Christopher Palmer traveled across national parks in December with his eleven-year-old German Shepherd, Zoey, before disappearing in January. He maintained contact with his family, updating them on his whereabouts as he moved through locations like Boone Fork and George Washington National Forest. His final text message indicated he was headed to Monongahala National Forest, but he cited spotty signals for lack of further communication.
He was officially declared missing on January 16 by the National Park Service. Two days later, the Greene County Sheriff's Department informed the family that his abandoned red Ford F250 truck had been found on January 12 on a beach in North Carolina, hours away from his intended direction. Security footage showed a blue and white kayak in the vehicle, which was not present at the scene.
Phone Pings and Evidence
According to the National Park Service, pings from Palmer's mobile phone placed him near Avon on the evening of January 10 and near Cape Point in Buxton on January 11. This evidence, combined with the discovery of his truck on Cape Hatteras National Seashore, suggests he walked into the ocean in the Outer Banks area. No sign of him or his dog Zoey has been found since.
Zoey's Role and Family's Hopes
The Palmer family described Zoey as a "beautiful, well-behaved" dog that Christopher loved deeply, having been by his side since she was a puppy. Zoey was "very sick" and on medication for severe hip dysplasia. Bren believes his son spent time in the woods to be with her in her final days, evidenced by a shovel found in his truck, and after her passing, he laid her to rest before continuing to the coast.
"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," Bren said. The family expressed gratitude to the United Cajun Navy, volunteers, first responders, and community members who participated in the search, noting it was "profoundly humbling" to see such care for someone they never met.
Closure and Respect
The family has requested respect for Christopher's memory and the safety of others as they seek closure. The specific nature of Palmer's terminal illness remains undisclosed. This tragic case highlights the profound impact of terminal diagnoses on mental health and the difficult decisions families must make in such circumstances.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988, or by chatting at 988lifeline.org.
