BUXTON, N.C., (WAVY) – Bren Palmer, father of the missing 39 year-old Christopher Lee Palmer, believes that his son perished in the sea, according to a Facebook post he made Saturday evening.

Christopher Palmer was last in contact with family members on January 9. National Park Service rangers located Palmer’s red 2017 Ford F-250 stuck on the beach at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on January 12. The vehicle remained unclaimed, and Arkansas authorities officially declared Palmer a missing person on January 16.

In his post, Bren Palmer reveals that they recently learned that Christopher was facing a terminal illness.

“Knowing this has helped us understand the choices he made.” said Palmer “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.”

He goes on to say that personal belongings of Christopher were found on the coastline.

“Our family believes our son perished in the sea.”

Palmer goes on to state that “As heartbreaking as this is, we have found a measure of peace in that understanding. 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 Palmer finishes his post by thanking the United Cajun Navy and every volunteer, first responder and community member that helped in the search for Christopher.

The family has asked that all active searches be ended at this time.