This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
South Salt Lake police Thursday afternoon said they found a missing 79-year-old man, who suffers from Alzheimer's, walking down the street several blocks from his home more than 48 hours after he disappeared.
Police spokesman Gary Keller said James Edwin Chapman, who was last seen about noon Tuesday at his home in the 100 block of Wentworth Avenue (2205 South) in South Salt Lake, was spotted by his son "walking down State Street and whistling" in the area of 1760 S. State St. Police had classified him as "endangered" because he was recently diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
He said Chapman was safe and well. He told police that he went for a walk and rented a room in downtown Salt Lake City for two nights. He told investigators he got "a bit confused at times."
Keller said Chapman lived alone, but right next door to his son, who often checked on him. The family said the disappearance was out of character for the man, Keller said.
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