SAFE Alert canceled after 78-year-old man last seen in Gilbert found dead

A 78-year-old man who was the subject of a SAFE Alert out of Gilbert was found dead after he went missing, authorities said Friday.

Michael Chernek was last seen on Friday at 9 a.m. near Gilbert and Warner roads, and the Gilbert Police Department was contacted around 11:30 a.m. Friday regarding his disappearance.

After initial search efforts were unsuccessful, detectives took over the search before Chernek was ultimately found dead.

The Chandler Police Department will be investigating his death.

SAFE Alerts have replaced Silver Alerts in Arizona as a way to spread the word about missing persons who are 65 and older and missing persons who have dementia or developmental/cognitive disabilities.

This is an updated version of a story originally published Aug. 7, 2026.

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