The family of a man who went missing with his dog is calling off search efforts.

In a Facebook post over the weekend, Bren Palmer said that their son, Christopher Palmer, was facing a terminal illness when he went missing at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

Palmer, who was with his German shepherd, Zoey, has not been heard from since Jan. 9.

“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,” Bren Palmer wrote.

“We recently learned that Christopher was facing a terminal illness. 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.”

The family said personal belongings were found along the coastline and that they believe “perished in the sea.”

“As heartbreaking as this is, we have found a measure of peace in that understanding,” the statement said. “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.”

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The family thanked the United Cajun Navy and every volunteer, first responder, and community member who searched for their son.

“It has been profoundly humbling to see so many people care for someone they never met. Our family is at peace and asks that Christopher’s memory and the safety of others be respected as we seek closure,” the statement concluded.

Zoey, who family described as “a beautiful well behaved 11-year-old” is also beloved to be dead since she was very sick, took several medications and also had sever hip dysplasia.

“It’s our belief that our son spent some time in the woods to be with her in her final days,” the family said. “Evidence of that was a shovel found in his truck and after her passing he laid her to rest and continued his trip to the coast. We thank everyone for their concern and prayers for Zoey.”

Palmer is described as white, approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, with blue eyes and strawberry-blond hair. Arkansas authorities officially declared Palmer a missing person on Jan. 16. His red 2017 Ford F-250 was found stuck on the beach on Jan. 12.