Delaware
Suspect charged in Gretchen Harrington’s 1975 murder in Delaware County
Suspect charged in Gretchen Harrington’s 1975 murder in Delaware County
Authorities described the 83-year-old suspect as “every parent’s worst nightmare” when they announced charges against a family friend in the murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington.
PHILADELPHIA – A Georgia man and former Pennsylvania church pastor is facing charges in the 1975 murder of an 8-year-old girl who investigators say was abducted during bible camp.
David Zandstra, 83, admitted to authorities that in August 1975 he saw 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington walking alone on Lawrence Road in Marple Township and offered her a ride.
According to investigators, Zandstra drove Harrington – the daughter of the pastor of another nearby church – to a wooded area where he told her to disrobe and punched her in the head when she refused.
Zandstra is reported to have told investigators that Harrington was bleeding, and he believed she was dead. Investigators say Zandstra covered up her body and left the area.
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Two months after Harrington’s disappearance, her skeletal remains were found at Ridley Creek State Park. Zandstra was interviewed in 1975 in connection to the murder, but authorities say he denied any involvement.
Nearly 50 years into the cold case investigation, authorities say an interview with a former friend of Zandstra’s daughter revealed new leads that connected Zandstra to the murder.
Investigators reported that the former friend accused Zandstra of groping her during a sleepover. When she confronted Zandstra’s daughter, she was told “he did that sometimes.”
The individual also recalled to police that a classmate was almost kidnapped twice, according to investigators. Authorities also learned that she made a notation in her 1975 diary that Zandstra was the likely culprit of the murder.
David Zandstra. 83, is said to have admitted to the 1975 abduction and murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington.
Authorities confronted Zandstra about the murder in July, and investigators say he admitted to the allegations after being presented with the new evidence from the recent interview with his daughter’s friend.
David Zandstra has been charged with first, second and third degree murder, criminal homicide, kidnapping of a minor, and possession of an instrument of crime.
“The murder of Gretchen Harrington has haunted members of law enforcement since that terrible day in August 1975,” Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. “This heinous act left a family and a community forever changed. At long last I can announce today that her killer – David Zandstra – has admitted to his crime.”