In a shocking turn of events, an 83-year-old former pastor, David Zandstra, has been arrested on murder charges dating back almost 50 years. The charges relate to the abduction and killing of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in Pennsylvania in 1975. Zandstra has been charged with criminal homicide, first, second, and third-degree murder, kidnapping of a minor, and possession of an instrument of crime. Despite being initially interviewed during the original investigation, it was only this year that enough evidence was gathered for his arrest, according to District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
Harrington’s disappearance occurred while she was on her way to a summer bible camp that used the premises of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and the Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church, where Zandstra served as a pastor. Her skeletal remains were found two months later in Ridley Creek State Park. During the investigation, a witness claimed to have seen Harrington with someone driving a green station wagon, which was known to be used by Zandstra. Recently, a woman alleged that Zandstra had abused her as a child, leading investigators to confront him with the new evidence. Zandstra admitted to seeing Harrington on the day she disappeared, offering her a ride, and taking her to a wooded area. He confessed to attacking her when she refused his demands and leaving her body concealed.
Zandstra, who currently resides in Marietta, Georgia, was taken into custody without bail. Authorities are working on securing his extradition to Pennsylvania. The arrest has brought some closure to the case after decades of uncertainty and grief for Harrington’s family. Officials are also investigating the possibility of other victims connected to Zandstra during his time living in Plano, Texas, and Marietta after the tragic death of Gretchen Harrington.
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