Investigator: Missing Palmer teen was beaten, shot to death

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A missing Palmer teenager was pistol-whipped by an acquaintance, driven to a remote location and shot to death, according to an Alaska State Trooper investigating the case.

Erick Almandinger, 16, is charged as an adult with first-degree murder and kidnapping in the death of David Grunwald, 16, whose body was found Friday by troopers acting on a tip by another teen.

Grunwald, a student at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, failed to return home after dropping off his girlfriend Nov. 13.

Troopers determined he was lying, said Sgt. Tony Wegrzyn in the criminal complaint.

Almandinger said he accompanied "D.J." as the other youth loaded Grunwald into the Bronco, drove him to Knik River Road, picked out the spot to stop, walked Grunwald into the woods and shot him.

Almandinger acknowledged burning the Bronco miles away, catching a cab ride home, cleaning the trailer and burning a rug from the trailer that was covered in blood.