Man Charged Nearly 50 Years After Abduction and Murder of 8-Year-Old Gretchen Harrington
MEDIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) – After nearly five decades, authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania have charged 83-year-old David Zandstra with the abduction and murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in 1975. Zandstra, who currently resides in Marietta, Georgia, allegedly confessed to the crime during an interview with Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper Eugene Tray, who conducted the interview, described Zandstra’s relief, stating, “He was relieved it was like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.”
Gretchen Harrington was abducted from Marple Township, and her body was discovered two months later at Ridley Creek State Park. The case had remained unsolved since 1975.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the charges on Monday, stating, “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. Justice has been a long time coming, but we are proud and grateful to finally be able to give the community an answer.”
Zandstra has been charged with criminal homicide, murder of the first, second, and third degree, kidnapping of a minor, and possession of an instrument of crime.
During the 1970s, Zandstra served as a pastor at a local church where Harrington was heading to attend summer bible school when she went missing. On the day of her abduction, Gretchen walked to school alone as her youngest sister had just been brought home from the hospital.
DA Stollsteimer provided details of Zandstra’s confession, stating, “He got her in the car, drove her to a secure location, asked her to take off her clothes. She refused. He beat her to death with his hands.”
Authors Mike Mathis and Joanna Falcone Sullivan, who published a book titled ’Marple’s Gretchen Harrington Tragedy,’ had the opportunity to speak with Reverend Zandstra about the events of that day. Sullivan expressed relief and disbelief that justice is finally being served.
The cold case files kept by Chief Brandon Graef of Marple Township Police played a crucial role in the investigation. Chief Graef never gave up on solving the case and urged the community to pray for Gretchen and the evil man responsible for her death.
The breakthrough in the case occurred when an alleged victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of Zandstra came forward in January 2023. The criminal complaint includes disturbing details from the alleged victim, including journal entries that suggest Zandstra may have been involved in another attempted kidnapping before Gretchen’s disappearance.
Zandstra has waived extradition to Pennsylvania, and it will be several weeks before he arrives in Delaware County to face a judge. DA Stollsteimer expressed confidence in securing a conviction, stating, “We’re going to convict him. He’s going to die in jail. Then he’s going to have to find out what the God he professes to believe in holds for people who are this evil to our children.”
Zandstra had moved multiple times after leaving Broomall shortly after the murder, residing in California, Texas, and Georgia. Investigators are concerned that there may be more victims yet to be discovered.
How has Zandstra’s confession provided closure for Harrington’s family and the community after enduring 46 years of seeking answers and justice for her brutal murder
L. Investigators believe that Zandstra seized the opportunity while Harrington was on her way to the church and abducted her.
For the past 46 years, Harrington’s family and the community have been seeking answers and justice for her brutal murder. The breakthrough in the case came when Zandstra, now residing in Georgia, confessed to the crime during an interview with Pennsylvania State Police.
Trooper Eugene Tray, who conducted the interview, expressed Zandstra’s relief in confessing, saying, “He was relieved, it was like a weight being lifted off his shoulders.” This confession has provided some closure for Harrington’s family and the community that has been haunted by this unsolved case for decades.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer announced the charges against Zandstra, acknowledging the lasting impact the crime had on the family and the community. 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. Justice has been a long time coming, but we are proud and grateful to finally be able to give the community an answer.”
Zandstra now faces several charges, including criminal homicide, first, second, and third-degree murder, kidnapping of a minor, and possession of an instrument of crime. Authorities are working on extraditing him to Delaware County to face trial.
The abduction and murder of Gretchen Harrington is a tragic reminder of the enduring pain caused by such heinous acts. While it may have taken almost five decades, the community can finally start to heal now that the truth has come to light and justice can be served.
This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder that justice never forgets, no matter how much time has passed. The arrest of the suspect, 50 years later, offers a glimmer of hope for closure and peace for Gretchen Harrington’s family.
This devastating case is a chilling reminder that justice may take time, but it will not be denied.