Remains discovered in the Knik River Road area have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s office in Anchorage for autopsy, but, investigators believe that the remains are those of Dave Grunwald, missing since mid-November.

Details in the cause of death have yet to be determined, but State Troopers have arrested a 16-year-old teen in connection with Grunwald’s death. Although still a teen, the 16-year-old has been charged as an adult and his identity was revealed to the public as Erick Almandinger of Palmer. Almandinger has been charged with Murder I and Kidnapping.

Investigators state that others have been identified as having an involvement in the death of Grunwald, but, they have yet to be charged.

Grunwald disappeared on the evening of November 13th.He was to return home by 9:30 pm after dropping off his girlfriend. He dropped his girlfriend off and was reported to be going to a friend’s home before going to his own. He never arrived. A ping was picked up from Grunwald’s phone near Palmer within hours of his disappearance.[xyz-ihs snippet=”adsense-body-ad”]The next day, November 14th, Grunwald’s dark blue 1995 Ford Bronco was discovered burned-out up a trail near Solitude and Sitze, over 20 miles from his girlfriend’s home.

Hundreds of searchers took up the search for Grunwald fanning out from the area his burned Bronco was located, but advancing winter hindered the search operation.

Almandinger was arraigned on Saturday.

Anyone with information on the case can call troopers at 907-269-5497 or 800-478-9333, or Crime Stoppers at 907-745-3333.

Tips can also be called in to Guardian Search and Investigations at 290-8999.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]

  arrest, bronco, charges, david grunwald, erick almandinger, kidnapping, knik river, murder, palmer, teen, wasilla