Cracking a 50-Year-Old Cold Case: Retired Pastor Arrested for Kidnapping and Murder
In a stunning turn of events, law enforcement has managed to solve a chilling crime that remained unsolved for nearly half a century. Just months after a true-crime book shed light on the disappearance and tragic murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in Pennsylvania, police finally made a breakthrough in the case.
Long-Awaited Breakthrough
Authorities in Pennsylvania apprehended David Zandstra, a retired 83-year-old pastor from Marietta, Georgia, in connection with the 1975 abduction, assault, and killing of Gretchen Harrington. The young girl was on her way to Bible vacation school in Marple Township when the horrifying incident occurred. The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office reported that Zandstra faces multiple charges, including criminal homicide, kidnapping, and possession of an instrument of crime.
A Book’s Unintended Impact
The arrest comes on the heels of the release of “Marple’s Gretchen Harrington Tragedy,” a book co-authored by Joanna Sullivan and Mike Mathis. The book delved into the details of the decades-old case, inadvertently sparking renewed interest in the investigation. Sullivan, now editor-in-chief of the Baltimore Business Journal, shared that local authorities credited the book with aiding their efforts to solve the case.
Sullivan recalled, “Once the book was out, we started hearing whispers about a potential suspect. And guess what? It turned out to be someone she knew all along.”
The Past Resurfaces
During an interview with the suspect for the book, Sullivan was surprised by Zandstra’s seemingly hazy memory of the events. The now-83-year-old Zandstra didn’t contribute much to the book, unlike his wife who had vivid memories of Gretchen’s disappearance.
Zandstra’s brief quote in the book reads, “I was driving a Volkswagen bus with a bunch of kids for church, and I remember someone asking if I had seen Gretchen. I hadn’t, so I reached out to her family and the police.”
A Heartbreaking Timeline
Gretchen’s tragic ordeal unfolded on August 15, 1975, as she headed to a Bible day camp in Marple Township, located in the Philadelphia suburb. She disappeared on her way to the camp held at Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reformed Church. The community was rocked by the news, and her remains were found two months later in Ridley Creek State Park.
The Power of Truth
Remarkably, a friend of Zandstra’s daughter bravely stepped forward after the book’s release, sharing an unsettling encounter from years ago. This revelation, combined with evidence, eventually led to Zandstra’s confession. The retired pastor admitted to encountering Gretchen on that fateful morning, luring her into his car, assaulting her, and believing she was dead. The case’s lead investigator, Richard Mankin, who passed away in 2020, dedicated his life to solving this mystery.
While the story still carries an air of sadness, there’s a sense of closure knowing that justice might finally be served. As the legal proceedings unfold, the family and community that loved Gretchen will hopefully find a measure of solace after decades of unanswered questions.
Author’s Note: Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. You can reach out to her at [email protected] or find her on Twitter at @audpants.