David Gulbrandson
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- Gender
- male
- Country
- USA
- Location
- Maricopa County, Arizona, USA
- Date of birth
- December 30, 1944
- Age at first offence
- 47
- Characteristics
- torture, domestic violence
- Victim profile
- Irene Katuran, 45 (his ex-lover)
- Method of murder
- Multiple stab wounds and blunt neck injury
- Date(s) of murder
- March 11, 1991
- Years active
- 1991
- Date of arrest
- April 3, 1991
- Status
-
Sentenced to death
Sentenced to death on February 19, 1993
Case overview
David Gulbrandson and the 45-year-old female victim operated a photography business and were involved in an intimate personal relationship. The victim ended their personal relationship in January of 1991.
After the relationship ended, Gulbrandson physically assaulted the victim on February 14, 1991. The victim sought and obtained a protective order against Gulbrandson as a result of this assault.
The offence
On March 9, 1991, Gulbrandson threatened to kill the victim during a telephone conversation.
Sometime late in the evening of March 10, 1991, or early in the morning of March 11, 1991, Gulbrandson entered the victim's home. He brutally tortured and murdered her while her two children were sleeping.
The victim sustained 33 incision-type injuries all over her body, a puncture wound to her liver, and at least ten blunt force injuries. Gulbrandson cracked the victim's teeth, fractured her nose and seven of her ribs, and embedded part of a wooden salad fork in her leg. He attempted to burn her by lighting her hair on fire.
The victim was killed by either strangling her or by inflicting a blow to her neck which caused her to suffocate. Gulbrandson left the victim in the master bedroom clad only in her panties, with her ankles and one wrist bound with electrical cords. He left three knives, one razor knife, and one pair of scissors, all of which were bloodstained, in the kitchen sink.
Gulbrandson left the scene in the victim's car.
Investigation
Gulbrandson's fingerprints were found at the scene. Bloody clothing was found at his residence.
The victim's car was located in Montana on April 1, 1991. Gulbrandson was arrested there 2 days later.
Trial
Proceedings
Presiding Judge: David L. Grounds Prosecutor: Michael Morrison
Start of Trial: November 30, 1992 Verdict: December 15, 1992
Sentencing
Sentencing: February 19, 1993
Aggravating Circumstances: Especially heinous and depraved Mitigating Circumstances: None sufficiently substantial to call for leniency
Appeals
Published opinions: State v. Gulbrandson, 184 Ariz. 46, 906 P.2d 579 (1995).
Aftermath
The victim's two children were sleeping at the time of the offence.
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