Deceased/Not Found WV - Christopher Palmer, 39, missing with dog Zoey, last contact 1/9, headed to Monongahela Forest, truck found abandoned in Buxton NC 1/12 2026

[Tealgrove]

This is so incredibly sad.

 

[Lebowski]

less tragic and senseless that it's someone who was already dying apparently deciding "i'm going out on my own terms" rather than a physically healthy person ending their life way before their time.

my sympathies to the family all the same. this is terrible.

 

[swanniee11]

This is a very sad outcome, my heart goes out to the Palmer family and Christopher's friends.

 

[GraceG]

Rest in Peace Christopher - you were greatly loved.

 

[RedHaus]

Such sad news, but not unexpected. Zoey may also have been nearing her end. And Christopher may not have wanted her to be alone if he passed away first. I hope their end was peaceful. May the love Christopher and Zoey shared be forever.

 

[airportwoman]

I have been thinking about the coach who is wanted for child porn who is on the run in NC. Could Chris have come upon him?

Those are adjoining states. It's possible.

 

[airportwoman]

I just hope his body washes up eventually. If it's meant to be, it will.

 

[FoxxTraxx]

This is a published news article about Christopher.

Father of missing man in Outer Banks calls off search, believing son died in the ocean​

BUXTON, N.C. — The father of a missing man whose truck was found on the Outer Banks earlier in January said he believes his son was terminally ill and “perished in the sea.”

Channel 13 News Norfolk VA Christopher Palmer Search Called Off

It's so sad when cases end this way. May Christopher and Zoey rest in peace.

 

[Pseudonymph]

What an awful way to die. I pray the dog was already dead via some gentle means before he paddled out.

 

[shetalksinstereo]

Zoey and her dad are at peace.

 

[nao]

Moo..my 87 yr old died 6 weeks after his old shepherd passed. He said that his dog was the only reason he woke up in the morning, broke his heart when his dog passed.

 

[SerialGal]

This one really hit me hard and I’m not sure why. Prayers for his family and friends and those whom answered the call to search.

 

[tlcya]

I've not commented on this case but have been following. Just wanted to say Christopher's loved ones have my deepest most sincere condolences.

 

[dalsglen]

I cannot help but think, we'll it's bloody sad but good for him, i just wish Christopher had sent a message to his parents beforehand.

To Chris and Zoey, rest easy folks.

 

[CityKid]

Zoey and her dad are at peace.
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What a terribly sad, but oddly uplifting story. Despite what Christopher was going through with his own health issues, he stayed with Zoey till the end, and then went out on his own terms. I always felt he would never have willingly parted from this silver-muzzled older lady. Godspeed to them both, and I know Zoey was waiting for him at the rainbow bridge.

 

[lonetraveler]

Crazy, isn't it? I follow the worst of the worst crimes, but this thread brings me to tears.

 

[Ray_of_hope]

I knew that sleuthers would put this article up as soon as it was released. It's been a tough couple of days with all that's gone on, but I wanted to come here and add the article I found. Some of Chris' belongings have washed ashore. I just read about Zoey. I wondered what happened to her. Now I know. The way Chris handled Zoey's passing, interment and his own diagnosis took so much courage and bravery. He did it together with his best friend and then alone on his own terms. I can only think that he didn't want others to bear the pain of his own arrangements and passing. I believe that Zoey and Chris were reunited in Heaven and both are free from pain and illness. Rest easy Zoey and Chris. I will think of you whenever I'm hiking and at the seashore. Hiking with my dogs is also my favorite thing to do.

FAMILY: Missing man on OBX had terminal illness, believes death was suicide

Chris Palmer was declared missing on January 16th after rangers found his truck abandoned on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

www.witn.com

 

[Ray_of_hope]

Crazy, isn't it? I follow the worst of the worst crimes, but this thread brings me to tears.

I'm totally with you, @lonetraveler. This one is hard but also beautiful.

 

[RedHaus]

Zoey and her dad are at peace.
View attachment 639532

I appreciate Christopher's father sharing the details about Zoey. That must have been so hard for him. It explains why Christopher was camping mid winter. It must have been devastating to his son.

This confirms my question if Zoey passed away ~1/9, leading Christopher to change his travel plans. He was free to relieve his own suffering.

I hope Christopher took a lethal dose of his cancer pain meds before he set sail and then kayaked until he no longer could. That to me would be a peaceful end. And that is the story I'll tell myself.

 

[Jessicaleanne1992]

This case hasn’t left me since finding out about it. I hate that he had to go out alone. I hope that it was peaceful and he was at peace in his last days. They say once a person has decided to do this, they feel peace and relief. I hope that he’s reunited with Zoey wherever we go after this life. I choose to believe that he is. God bless his family and help them to find peace and comfort. And I hope they are able to find all the answers they need to help them heal into a new normal.

Rest in peace Christopher and Zoey.