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This episode of True Crime All The Time examines the 2016 murder of 16-year-old David Grunwald in Palmer, Alaska. After dropping his girlfriend off, David visited an acquaintance named Eric Almendinger at a camper, where a group of teenagers brutally beat him with a gun, drove him to a remote location, and shot him execution-style. The hosts detail the extensive police investigation, which uncovered digital evidence, bleach-cleaned crime scenes, and shifting stories from multiple teenage co-conspirators including Dominic Johnson, Austin Barrett, Bradley Renfro, and Devin Peterson. The hosts explain how the investigation into David's death ultimately helped solve a separate, previously unsolved homicide of another teenager, Frankie Woodford. Throughout the episode, the hosts explore the senseless nature of the crime—with weed being the only alleged motive—and how group mentality and peer pressure drove several young people to participate in a horrific murder and subsequent cover-up.
Mike Ferguson and Mike Gibson introduce the episode and joke about their countdown routine before diving into the case.
The hosts discuss David’s Alaska upbringing, family military background, and his interests in aviation and engineering.
Details of David’s last known movements, his call to his mother, and the timeline of his disappearance are recounted.
Police find David’s vehicle on Bald Mountain Ridge, then locate his remains by the Kneec River, confirming his death.
Eric is arrested, charged as an adult with first‑degree murder, kidnapping, and evidence tampering, setting the legal process in motion.
Discussion centers on how parents and communities can better recognize and intervene in the dangerous behaviors of teens.
Mike and Mike wrap up the episode, emphasizing the tragedy of David’s death and the complex legal aftermath.
The hosts explore other violent incidents involving the Peterson brothers, showing a pattern of youth crime in the area.
Eric, Dominic, Austin, and others give shifting accounts of who shot David, revealing a tangled web of guilt and denial.
The episode details the sentences handed to Eric, Dominic, Austin, and Bradley, highlighting the severity of the punishments.
The judge emphasizes that the crime was a collective effort, with no single individual identified as the shooter.
Missing Teenager in Alaskastory
The hosts introduce the case of 16-year-old David Grunwald, who went missing after dropping off his girlfriend in November 2016. Police soon uncovered that his disappearance was tied to a horrific murder with no clear motive.
David's Ford Bronco was found completely burned out on a trail on Bald Mountain Ridge, with metal pieces falling off from the intense heat and no material left inside.
Human remains, later identified as David Grunwald, were found near the Knik River alongside a shell casing, confirming the tragic outcome for his parents.
Multiple Teen Suspects Chargedinsight
Police arrested 16-year-old Eric Almendinger, which quickly led to charges against several other teenagers—Dominic Johnson, Bradley Renfro, Austin Barrett, and Devin Peterson—for their roles in the murder, kidnapping, and cover-up.
Uncovering a Second Murderstory
During the investigation into David's murder, information provided by Austin Barrett led authorities to solve the previously uncharged shooting death of another 16-year-old, Frankie Woodford, committed by Damian Peterson.
Damning Jailhouse Confessiondata
During Eric Almendinger's sentencing hearing, prosecutors played a recorded jailhouse phone call between Austin Barrett and his grandmother where Barrett admitted to firing the fatal shot.
“The night of November 13, 2016, seemed like a normal Sunday.”
“He was studying aviation and was in his school's engineering club.”
“The jury viewed Eric's interrogation video where he initially admitted he was present during the crime.”
“You have to treat every gun as though it's loaded.”
“The judge noted, per the Anchorage Daily News, who actually led David in the woods?”
“On August 8th, 2022, Eric Allmendinger was sentenced to 99 years in prison.”
“Between the ages of 16 and let's say 54, 53, 54, right? I'm 53 years old. Everything in my life has happened between those two ages.”
“He apologized to David's family. He said, I'm sure the words coming out of my mouth are irrelevant to them. But if it means anything, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did and I'm sorry for what I didn't do.”
“"I can't see why they did this, other than they have no value for life."”
Sixteen-year-old David Grunwald disappeared after dropping off his girlfriend on the evening of November 13, 2016, in Palmer, Alaska. When he failed to return home, his parents immediately reported him missing. Join Mike and Gibby as they discuss David Grunwald. What initially appeared to be a missing-person case quickly became one of Alaska's most shocking murders after investigators uncovered a brutal killing involving a group of teenagers, extensive efforts to destroy evidence, and a motive that never made sense. You can help support the show at patreon.com/truecrimeallthetime Visit the show's website at truecrimeallthetime.com for contact, merchandise, and donation information An Emash Digital production See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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