A Stunning Breakthrough in the Disappearance of Chris Palmer: Search Teams Find Fresh Signs of Human Presence Near Buxton — Evidence Recovered by His Last Phone Signal Leaves the Family Reeling

The father of a missing Arkansas man said that he believes his son may have taken his own life after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. The family has also requested that all active search efforts be halted.

Chris Palmer, 39, was reported missing by Arkansas authorities on January 16, following the discovery of his abandoned red 2017 Ford F-250 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Palmer was believed to be traveling with his German Shepherd, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Family requests search halt

In a Facebook post on January 24, Palmer’s father, Bren Palmer, said the family had “made the difficult decision to request all active search efforts for our son cease.” He noted that recent searches had focused on the Outer Banks.

“We recently learned that Christopher was facing a terminal illness,” Bren Palmer wrote. “Knowing this has helped us understand the choices he made. Christopher loved the outdoors and valued his independence. The treatments ahead would have taken much of that away, and he did not want that future for himself.”

Ahead of potential winter weather, the United Cajun Navy is intensifying search efforts to locate Chris Palmer who was declared a missing person on Jan. 16.

According to the United Cajun Navy Incident Commander Josh Gill, the volunteer-based organization is urgently seeking aid from anyone with access to an aircraft to “support aerial reconnaissance.” He added it would significantly speed up the search.

The United Cajun Navy is working closely with the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Mission Mules and Mountain Mule Packers. “Our UCN Texas and North Carolina SAR team is supporting planning and guidance, and Team Texas K9s is assisting to locate specific scent and track targets in the area where Chris Palmer was last believed to be,” Gill said in a statement on Facebook.

Avon Fire Department is additionally serving as their boots-on-the-ground response team.

Palmer is described as approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair. He is believed to be traveling with his German Shepheard and may still be in the Cape Point area.

If you have the resources the United Cajun Navy is requesting, contact them immediately at 1-844-482-6289.