Current:Home > MarketsFormer reverend arrested for 1975 murder of 8-year-old girl-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Former reverend arrested for 1975 murder of 8-year-old girl
View Date:2024-12-23 18:54:06
An 83-year-old former reverend has been arrested for allegedly killing an 8-year-old girl in 1975 while she was on her way to his Bible camp, authorities said.
On Aug. 15, 1975, Gretchen Harrington was walking alone to her last day of camp in Marple Township, Pennsylvania, when the suspect, David Zandstra, allegedly drove up to her in his green station wagon, prosecutors said.
Zandstra was a reverend at the camp and a friend of the Harrington family, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said at a Monday news conference. Zandstra was also the father of one of Gretchen's friends, so the 8-year-old got in his car, Stollsteimer said.
MORE: Gilgo Beach murders: Police dig up suspect's backyard as search for evidence continues
Zandstra confessed to police last week, according to the criminal complaint. Zandstra allegedly told authorities that once he got Gretchen in his car, he drove to a secure location. Zandstra then asked Gretchen to take off her clothes, and when she refused, he allegedly beat her to death with his hands, Stollsteimer said.
Zandstra allegedly disposed of her body and then went back to the church, Stollsteimer said.
"This man is evil," Stollsteimer said.
Zandstra, who later served as a reverend in Texas and Georgia, now lives in Marietta, Georgia, officials said. He is in custody in Georgia on charges including criminal homicide and is fighting extradition, Stollsteimer said.
According to the criminal complaint, multiple witnesses saw Gretchen talking to the driver of a green station wagon, and multiple witnesses, and Zandstra himself, placed Zandstra driving on the road where Gretchen was seen walking to camp.
Zandstra also allegedly gave authorities specific descriptions of Gretchen's clothes, even though he had denied seeing Gretchen that day, according to the criminal complaint.
MORE: Decades-old New Hampshire cold case murder solved through genetic genealogy, officials say
This January, prosecutors said authorities interviewed a woman who was best friends with Zandstra's daughter when they were children. She told police that at one sleepover at Zandstra's house when she was 10, she was awakened by Zandstra groping her, prosecutors said. When she told Zandstra's daughter, the daughter allegedly replied that her dad "does that sometimes," according to the criminal complaint.
The Harrington family said in a statement released by prosecutors, "We are extremely hopeful that the person who is responsible for the heinous crime that was committed against our Gretchen will be held accountable."
"If you met Gretchen, you were instantly her friend. She exuded kindness to all and was sweet and gentle," the family said. "We are grateful for the continual pursuit of justice by law enforcement and we want to thank the Pennsylvania State Police for never stopping in their constant search for answers. We would not be here today if it was not for them."
ABC News' Cherise Rudy contributed to this report.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Mississippi expects only a small growth in state budget
- Takeaways from AP’s story on the role of the West in widespread fraud with South Korean adoptions
- Sarah Michelle Gellar Shares Rare Video of Her and Freddie Prinze Jr.'s Daughter Charlotte
- Woman sues Florida sheriff after mistaken arrest lands her in jail on Christmas
- The Stanley x LoveShackFancy Collaboration That Sold Out in Minutes Is Back for Part 2—Don’t Miss Out!
- Civil rights groups call on major corporations to stick with DEI programs
- Rome Odunze's dad calls out ESPN's Dan Orlovsky on social media with game footage
- Mary Jo Eustace Details Her Most Painful Beauty Procedures
- Bohannan requests a recount in Iowa’s close congressional race as GOP wins control of House
- College football Week 4 predictions: Expert picks for every Top 25 game
Ranking
- It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
- Mohamed Al-Fayed, Late Father of Princess Diana's Former Boyfriend Dodi Fayed, Accused of Rape
- Weeks after tragic shooting, Apalachee High reopens Monday for students
- Takeaways from AP report on risks of rising heat for high school football players
- What is ‘Doge’? Explaining the meme and cryptocurrency after Elon Musk's appointment to D.O.G.E.
- OPINION: BBC's Mohamed Al-Fayed documentary fails to call human trafficking what it is
- Postal Service chief frustrated at criticism, but promises ‘heroic’ effort to deliver mail ballots
- JoJo was a teen sensation. At 33, she’s found her voice again
Recommendation
-
'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
-
Zach Bryan apologizes for 'drunkenly' comparing Taylor Swift and Kanye West
-
California Ballot Asks Voters to Invest in Climate Solutions
-
Prosecutors decline to charge a man who killed his neighbor during a deadly dispute in Hawaii
-
Bluesky has added 1 million users since the US election as people seek alternatives to X
-
Body language experts assess Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul face-off, cite signs of intimidation
-
Tomorrow X Together's Yeonjun on solo release: 'I'm going to keep challenging myself'
-
No decision made by appeals court in elections betting case