Bradley Renfro sentenced

WASILLA — Bradley Renfro received a 75-year sentence for his role in the murder of Palmer teen David Grunwald.

Renfro, Erick Almandinger, Dominic Johnson, and Austin Barrett have all been convicted for Grunwald’s murder.

Renfro was the final of the four group members to be sentenced.

In 2016, Grunwald was attacked in a trailer on the Almandinger family’s property in the Palmer area, forced into his own Ford Bronco, and driven up Knik River Road where he was shot in the head and died. Grunwald’s Bronco was burned in Wasilla that same evening.

Palmer Judge Gregory Heath said that Renfro fully participated in the kidnapping and murder of the innocent Palmer teen and the following actions to cover it up, including the purchase of gasoline to burn the Bronco. He said that all four group members showed no mercy the night Grunwald died and no remorse after the fact.

“It was so senseless,” Heath said. “Those were life choices that he voluntarily made and no one forced him to do it.”

Several people took the stand to provide victim impact statements during the final part of Renfro’s sentencing hearing Wednesday, Aug. 17, including Edie and Ben Grunwald.

“It could have been anyone’s son or daughter,” Edie said. “There was a 30, 40 minute drive where Bradley could have made a different choice… They executed our beautiful and amazing son.”

Ben asked Heath for the maximum penalty.

“They thought they were going to get away with it but they didn’t, and now they’re in jail,” Ben said. “I don’t come here seeking justice today your honor. I come here seeking punishment. It’s too late for my son.”

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiesman.com