Georgia Pastor Arrested In 40-Year-Old Murder Case

Gretchen Harrington disappeared from Marple Township, Pennsylvania in 1975. And now, over 40 years later, an arrest has been made in the case. David Zandstra, an 83-year-old man from Marietta,…

Cody

Updated Jul 25, 2023 11:22 AM EDT

Handcuffs laying on top of fingerprint chart in file

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Gretchen Harrington disappeared from Marple Township, Pennsylvania in 1975. And now, over 40 years later, an arrest has been made in the case.

David Zandstra, an 83-year-old man from Marietta, Georgia, has been charged with multiple offenses. The offenses include criminal homicide and first-degree murder in the killing of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington.

According to CBS News, Zandstra confessed to the crime in an interview last week. Zandstra was still working as a pastor at the time of his arrest. He had served as the reverend at Trinity Chapel on Lawrence Road, Harrington's church, in 1975.

Harrington was walking to bible school in August 1975. Her father had been watching as she walked up the road, but once she was out of his sight, Zandstra invited her into his car. He later beat her to death and dumped her remains.

Zandstra was a friend of the family who not only participated in searches for the young girl, but also presided over her funeral.

The case had gone cold, but was revived in 2017.

Currently, Zandstra is in jail here in Georgia, but is fighting for extradition to Pennsylvania. But that process could take up to two months.

Zandstra has worked at various churches throughout the years, in both Texas and Georgia. He is being investigated for other potential child sex abuse instances.

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CodyEditor

“Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.