1975 Delco Cold Case Murder: How A Break Came 47 Years Later

MARPLE TOWNSHIP, PA — After nearly 50 years of mystery, charges were filed in connection with the 1975 kidnapping and killing of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in Delaware County.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer Monday announced homicide, murder in the first, second and third degree, kidnapping of a minor and possession of an instrument of crime charged have been filed against David Zandstra, 83, of Marietta, Georgia.

According to Stollsteimer's office, Zandstra was arrested on July 17 in Georgia.

Zandstra is accused of killing the young girl on Aug. 15, 1975, in Marple Township.

Zandstra was interviewed in October 1975 and denied seeing the girl the day she disappeared, Stollsteimer said.

The case took a turn this year when a confidential informant who was best friends with Zandstra's daughter met with investigators in January, telling them she recalled being awaken during a past sleepover at Zandstra's house.

She accused Zandstra of groping her groin area when she was 10-years-old. Stollsteimer said the woman said when she told Zandstra's daughter about what happened, the daughter replied that Zandstra "did that sometimes."

Investigators traveled to Cobb County on July 17 after learning Zandstra was living in Marietta.

They contacted the Cobb County Police Department and met with Zandstra at the department.

Stollsteimer said Zandstra initially denied being involved in Harrington's disappearance but confessed when shown evidence relating to the informant's accusations.

"The defendant admitted to seeing Gretchen walking alone along Lawrence Road on the morning of her disappearance," the DA's office said. "The defendant admitted that, as corroborated by multiple witnesses, he was driving a green station wagon on the day in question."

"He admitted to offering Gretchen a ride and taking her to a nearby wooded area. The defendant stated that he had parked the car and asked the victim to remove her clothing. When she refused, he struck her in the head with a fist. The victim was bleeding, and he believed her to be dead. He attempted to cover up her body and left the area."

Zandstra was taken into custody and was denied bail. Cobb County Jail records show Zandstra remained in the jail Tuesday.

Stollsteimer said a DNA sample was collected from Zandstra and will be submitted to the Combined DNA Index System, so it can be compared to DNA collected in open cases in Pennsylvania and nationwide.

Zandstra refused to waive extradition to Pennsylvania, and Stollsteimer's office will submit a petition for requisition that will be sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro's office for approval.

The petition will then be sent to Gov. Brian Kemp, and arrangements will be made to have representatives from the Delaware County Sheriff’s office pick up Zandstra and take him to Pennsylvania, Stollsteimer said.

Stollsteimer said Harrington left her home around 9:30 a.m. Aug. 15, 1975 and was headed to a summer bible camp.

At the time, the camp used the properties of Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church and The Reformed Presbyterian Church. The pastor of Reformed was Harrington's father while Zandstra led Trinity as pastor.

Stollsteimer said Zandstra was responsible for taking children from Trinity to Reformed after opening exercises at Trinity.

Zandstra would either drive a white and blue Volkswagen bus or a green Rambler station wagon, the district attorney said.

Harrington's father was concerned about her whereabouts when she did not arrive at Reformed that day, Stollsteimer said.

After the rest of the camp became concerned about Harrington, Stollsteimer said Zandstra was the one to call the Marple Police Department to report her disappearance.

Skeletal remains were found on Oct. 14, 1975 in Ridley Creek State Park and were identified as Harrington, Stollsteimer said.

"A witness interviewed in connection with the initial investigation reported seeing the victim speaking with the driver of either a green station wagon or a two-tone Cadillac," the DA's office said in a news release.

"The murder of Gretchen Harrington has haunted members of law enforcement since that terrible day in August 1975," Stollsteimer said. "The families of victims often say that their lives are forever altered into the 'before' time and the 'after' time. Gretchen’s murder created a 'before' time and an 'after' time for an entire community – and for an entire county."

"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."

Aside from Georgia and Pennsylvania, Zandstra has also lived in Plano, Texas.

Stollsteimer asked anyone with additional information relating to his activities when he was living in either states to call the Pennsylvania State Police.