THIS IS NOT A LOCAL MISSING PERSON CASE
THIS IS A MULTI-STATE MYSTERY THAT NEEDS NATIONAL ATTENTION
Anyone with dashcams in the VA/WV area, please check those videos for dates after December 28th for his truck
Updated poster in comments
A man goes camping in the mountains. He tells his family where he’s headed. Then his truck turns up six hours in the opposite direction, abandoned on a beach. And now… both he and his dog are gone.
Chris Palmer has been missing since early January 2026. He was traveling through national forests across multiple states, something he did often and responsibly, always keeping his family informed.
He told family he was heading toward:
George Washington National Forest, Virginia
Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Instead, his red Ford F-250 was found abandoned on a beach in Manteo, North Carolina, on January 10, 2026.
No Chris. No dog. No explanation. That location is six hours away in the opposite direction of where he said he was going.
Multiple states involved
Federal land jurisdiction
Active search with infrared drones
Missing person AND missing dog
Unexplained abandoned vehicle
This is not a simple case. This is not something that should fade from timelines. The National Park Service and law enforcement agencies across state lines are searching, but public awareness matters. Someone may have seen Chris or his dog Zoey. Someone may recognize the truck. Someone may know something small that changes everything.
#Chris Palmer (Possible Missing 411/ Ongoing Investigation)
shadow shuttle
PLEASE DO ONE THING
Share this post
Comment to boost visibility
Tag friends in North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee
Especially anyone near Manteo or the Outer Banks
Even if you think it won’t help. Even if you don’t know him. Even if you’ve never shared before.
This family deserves answers. Chris deserves to be found. Zoey deserves to come home. Do not let this disappear.
#MissingPerson #1034578532870934568 #Missing
From his parents:
I don’t post a lot on here, but I’d like to ask for help. Our son, Chris Palmer, and his dog Zoey went to the Smoky Mountains to camp on December 8. He does a lot of camping in the national forests, and he always lets us know when and where he is going and when he is expected to return.
He was in the Boone Fork area from December 10 through December 27. He called on December 25 to say he was going to head to the George Washington National Forest in Virginia on December 28 and planned to stay until January 7. On January 4, he texted and said he was still in George Washington National Forest. He did not specify the area but said he was going to stay another week.
On January 9, he texted that he was headed to Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. He did send video of the terrain when asked, but said the signal was too spotty to talk.
However, the following Sunday, the 18th, we received a phone call from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department that his truck had been found on January 10, the day after he said he was going to Monongahela National Forest. They found his truck, a red Ford F-250, abandoned on a beach.
UPDATE CLARIFICATION
To ensure accurate information is being shared:
Chris Palmer’s truck was located near Exit (Ramp) 43 in Buxton, North Carolina, on Hatteras Island
Manteo is a different town, and the family is now aware of the correct location
The truck shown in the photo is confirmed to be Chris’s truck
Chris Palmer and his dog Zoey remain missing. This is still a serious, multi-agency, multi-state case. Please continue to share and help keep attention on bringing Chris and Zoey home.
There was no sign of him or his dog Zoey. The National Park Service is currently searching for him in Manteo with teams and infrared drones.
I am asking for prayers that he is found safe and that you share this with friends you might know in the mentioned areas. Thank you very much.
This is still very much an ongoing investigation and there is new information daily.
CHRIS PALMER CASE UPDATE: MULTI-STATE MYSTERY
Chris Palmer and his dog Zoey remain missing. While search efforts continue, new details have emerged about the timeline and the contents of his vehicle.
TIMELINE RECAP:
Dec 10–27: Camped in the Boone Fork area.
Dec 28–Jan 7: George Washington National Forest (VA).
Jan 4: Confirmed via text he was staying another week in VA.
Jan 9 (Last Contact): Texted he was heading to Monongahela National Forest (WV). Sent a video of terrain but said signal was too spotty to talk.
Jan 10: His truck was found abandoned at Hatteras National Seashore, NC—6 hours away from his stated destination.
WHO IS CHRIS PALMER?
This is not a case of an inexperienced hiker getting lost. Chris is a former military member with extensive survival training. His skills are described as elite; he is a certified level-5 whitewater rafter who has led expeditions in Colorado and spent more of his life outdoors than indoors.
Those closest to him emphasize:
He has NO history of mental health issues.
He has NO reason to run or disappear.
He is deeply devoted to his family and inseparable from his dog, Zoey.
He has traveled solo across the country many times without incident.
Chris always kept in contact with his parents. They believe that if he were able to make contact, he would have. The current silence is highly alarming and out of character. He would never leave Zoey behind.