The body of the missing teenager identified as David Grunwald is believed to have been found. Another teenager, 16, is now facing murder charges over the death of the David Grunwald.
San Francisco Chronicle reported that David Grunwald, 16, was reported missing since Nov. 13. The remains were found near Palmer and Knik River Road but the identity has not been confirmed yet. Authorities have sent the remains to the medical examiner for identification and to determine what the cause of death is.
The suspect, who has not been identified yet, has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder. It is unclear what the motive in the possible killing is and if the suspect is in any way related to David Grunwald.
After Alaska State Troopers announced that the remains of David Grunwald were likely found, a vigil took place in order to remember the teenager, KTVA Alaska reported. The vigil was first organized on Facebook and it took place on Saturday evening.
Nearly 200 people gathered at the Palmer Train Depot to talk about David Grunwald. Many of those who attended the vigil were the classmates of David Grunwald at the Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.
The crowd also sang songs for the teenager. Teachers of David Grunwald also went to the vigil to address the crowd. The girlfriend of David Grunwald, Victoria Mokelke, and her father, Adam Mokelke, were at the vigil and had nothing but great words for the teenager.
A friend of David Grunwald, named Erika Naulty, said, "David was the person who you could always go to if you needed a good joke or needed to be cheered up. He'd make you feel better without trying very hard."
A number of volunteers who did not know David Grunwald personally also participated in the three-week search. The immediate family of David Grunwald was not present at the vigil.
Meanwhile, officers are still investigating. They will be checking surveillance videos from Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. until Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. They will try to see anything that may have captured David Grunwald or his Ford Bonco that has the license plate JFM910.
