Good news: 44-year-old Steven Michael DeMarlie, reported missing yesterday by his wife, was found alive and well in the Tonto National Forest near Roosevelt Lake, the Chandler Police Department announced this afternoon.
According to Chandler P.D. spokesman Detective Frank Mendoza,several fishermen at Roosevelt Lake called the Gila County Sheriff's Office after seeing DeMarlie walking around aimlessly.
Aside from being slightly dehydrated, Mendoza says, DeMarlie was in good shape.
DeMarlie was last seen about 11:30 a.m. yesterday by his wife. He said he planned to go hiking in the Tonto National Forrest with his dog, a white lab.
DeMarlie called a friend in Chicago about 3:30 p.m., and hadn't been heard from since.
DeMarlie suffers from dyslexia, autism, a "mild" mental handicap, Chandler police say.
Mendoza says it's unclear whether DeMarie's dog also was located.