Investigator from nonprofit helping in search for missing Palmer teen

PALMER — Members of the public gathered in Palmer yesterday in an effort to locate 16-year old David Benjamin Grunwald who was last heard from or seen Nov. 13.

Brenda Paradise, a retired Colonel a private investigator for Guard Search and Investigations (GSI), a non-profit agency specializing in helping locate missing persons and veterans, came onboard Friday to help the Grunwald family in its attempt to find the youth. Paradise is licensed in both Alaska and Texas. According to social media, "GSI is a dedicated group of veterans, private investigators, and other professionals serving as a unified force in serving those in crisis."

"We do have a couple of leads and are looking at areas of interest," Paradise said Friday afternoon. "We believe (David's) Bronco was seen in Palmer-Wasilla early Monday morning."

Contacted Friday, Paradise said that those areas of interest, if they panned out, would be addressed. Paradise said she didn't want to release location details. She added if a search was conducted, she would prefer it be by trained volunteers such as members of qualified search and rescue groups, law enforcement agencies, fire departments or military members.

After planning a Saturday-morning search and getting word to several qualified agencies, a member of one of those posted details on social media around 7 p.m., apparently by mistake. Friday night. Paradise said word spread quickly and she received calls throughout the evening and into Friday night from a wide assortment of the public. Paradise said there was nothing she could do to change the facts. With that, a large gathering arrived at First Baptist Church on Helen Street yesterday at 11 a.m.

"I had grandmothers calling me asking what they could do. I've got 9 to 16-year olds wanting to go out and help search," Paradise said. "People just want to help."

Paradise said Saturday's mix included members of the general public, qualified search and rescue groups, several canines, individuals on horses and several others operating drones.

"We do have some areas that we would like to search where a drone is our best option," Paradise said.

She explained untrained volunteers were sent around neighborhoods where someone may have seen either Grunwald or his vehicle. In addition to knocking on doors and asking questions, she focused their efforts at putting up missing person signs on and in public locations. The second group was sent to a site of interest. Paradise said she didn't want to release the location as any found important evidence could be damaged or destroyed if not properly handled.

Grunwald's 1995 full-sized, Eddie Bauer Edition Bronco was completely consumed by fire and found in Wasilla just before 12:45 a.m. Monday. Alaska State Troopers (AST) said there were no bodies in the vehicle found on Baldy Trail off Solitude Street and Sitze Road north of Wasilla. The vehicle was dark blue with white top and a tire on the rear carrier. It had a large circular decal on the drivers-side back window with a picture of a fish and the words "clean water". It also had an "ALASKA GIRLS...ORGANIC" bumper sticker on the passenger side.

Grunwald is a junior at Mat-Su Career Tech High School. According to his mother Edie, he and his girlfriend spent Sunday at the Grunwald home. She said her son dropped his girlfriend at home around 7 p.m. The mother added she did talk to her son after that.

"He called me and said he was going to go out by Butte and that he might be a little late. He was supposed to be home at nine o'clock and he said it might be 9:20," Edie Grunwald said about her normally punctual son.

Paradise added that contrary to the thoughts of many in the community, law enforcement officials are hard at work on the case. She said she's working with those agencies behind the scenes as the investigation continues.

"It's not very often that I've seen local law enforcement this involved in a case," Paradise said. "I am also working with (Palmer-based) Alaska Investigation Agency (AIA) and we are both working with law enforcement."

Contacted Friday morning, AST Public Information Officer Megan Peters said there 's been nothing new to report.

"We are diligently looking for tips and leads. If anyone saw David or his Bronco on Sunday evening they are encouraged to call us," said Peters.

The mother of Grunwald's girlfriend has asked friends and others to refrain contacting her. The following are excerpts from social media sites:

"Friends and family, I need your help. We really, really appreciate the overwhelming support, kind words, texts, phone calls and prayers. It does mean a lot. But (she) is exhausted. If you have any information about David, please share it. She will not let go of her phone because she is waiting for any news or updates," the young lady's mother said. "Every time she gets a call or text, she is sad that it isn't David. Or, it wakes her up. Please let her rest. Please limit the phone calls and texts to helpful information only at this time. She knows you are all thinking of her and she really appreciates it. Feel free to send well wishes to me and I will make sure she gets each and every one when she is rested. Thank you for understanding...Let's bring my (daughter) her David back. She is trying her best to stay positive, but she scared and heartbroken. Let's find him."

Edie Grunwald said the family has been overwhelmed with the community support to date in helping locate her son. She is also grateful to have Paradise and her agency assisting.

"I'm glad they're all in my corner," Grunwald said.

Grunwald is approximately six-feet, 150 pounds, with bluish-green eyes, and short brown hair. He was last seen wearing an orange North Face hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans, and brown moccasin type slippers.

Paradise is also asking for businesses and/or home owners with security cameras to review their footage during the above timeline. She said that footage may show Grunwald's vehicle location and time.

"If anyone has anything, please let us know," Paradise said.

Anyone with information on Grunwald, or spotting him or his vehicle in the e area Sunday night into early Monday morning is asked to contact AST at 1-800-478-9333, 907-269-5497, Crimestoppers at 907-745-3333 or Paradise at (281) 642-7299.