Cold case update: Man charged with murder in 1975 death of Delaware County child

MEDIA, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania have charged a man nearly 50 years after the abduction and murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington.

Eighty-three-year-old David Zandstra, of Marietta, Georgia, is charged with the 1975 murder of Harrington after an alleged confession to Pennsylvania State Police.

Trooper Eugene Tray conducted the interview.

"He was relieved it was like a weight was lifted off his shoulders," Tray said.

Gretchen Harrington was abducted from Marple Township and her body was found two months later at the Ridley Creek State Park.

Since 1975, the case has stayed cold.

"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," said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer on Monday.

Zandstra has been charged with criminal homicide, murder of the first, second, and third degree, as well as kidnapping of a minor and the possession of an instrument of crime.

Back in the 1970s, he was a pastor at a local church where Harrington was heading to attend summer bible school when she went missing.

Harrington would typically walk to bible school with her sisters, but on August 15, 1975, her youngest sister was just brought home from the hospital. Gretchen walked to school alone.

DA Stollsteimer outlined Zandstra's confession about what happened next: "He got her in the car, drove her to a secure location, asked her to take off her clothes."

"She refused," he said. "He beat her to death with his hands."

Mike Mathis and Joanna Falcone Sullivan published a book, 'Marple's Gretchen Harrington Tragedy.'

"Reverend Zandstra took our calls, he answered questions about that day," said Joanna Falcone Sullivan.

"There's a lot of relief and disbelief that it's actually happening," she said.

Sullivan and Mathis were able to comb through the cold case files kept by Chief Brandon Graef of Marple Township Police. He never gave up on this unsolved case.

"If you're a praying person, you can certainly pray for Gretchen, and I don't think she needs it. She's in God's hands. You can certainly pray for the evil man responsible for this because he is going to need it," said Chief Graef during Monday's press conference.

Things turned in this case when an alleged victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of Zandstra came forward in January 2023.

The criminal complaint outlines disturbing details from that alleged victim. It includes journal entries detailing the abuse and alleging another classmate was nearly kidnapped days before Gretchen Harrington went missing.

In it she wrote, "I think he might be the one who kidnapped Gretchen. I think it was Mr. Z."

Zandstra is waiving extradition to Pennsylvania. It will be some weeks before he arrives in Delaware County to face a judge.

"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," said DA Stollsteimer.

Zandstra moved a number of times after leaving Broomall shortly after the murder; living in California, Texas and Georgia.

On Monday, his neighbors in Georgia reacted after learning about the charges.

"It's shocking. I had no idea. They've just always been very nice people," said Karen Alsdorf.

"Friendly guy. I talked to him a few times. I see him walking around with his cane," added Aaron Christian.

Investigators are concerned there may be more victims out there.

The family of Gretchen Harrington released the following statement:

"With today's announcement of an arrest, we are extremely hopeful that the person who is responsible for the heinous crime that was committed against our Gretchen will be held accountable. It's difficult to express the emotions that we are feeling as we take one step closer to justice. Gretchen was only 8 years-old when she was suddenly taken away from us on her way to church on Friday, August 15, 1975. If you met Gretchen, you were instantly her friend. She exuded kindness to all and was sweet and gentle. Even now, when people share their memories of her, the first thing they talk about is how amazing she was and still is...at just 8 years old, she had a lifelong impact on those around her. The abduction and murder of Gretchen has forever altered our family and we miss her every single day. 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. As a family we ask for privacy at this time as we continue to digest this information. Thank you for your understanding, love, and continued support. It means the world to us."