PHILADELPHIA — A retired minister in Georgia has been charged with homicide within the slaying of an 8-year-old lady whose stays have been present in southeastern Pennsylvania virtually a half-century in the past.
David Zandstra, 83, of the Atlanta suburb of Marietta is charged with legal murder, first—, second- and third-degree homicide, kidnapping of a minor and a associated rely within the 1975 loss of life of Gretchen Harrington in Delaware County.
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer advised reporters Monday within the Delaware County seat of Media that the defendant was “a monster” and “every parent’s worst nightmare.”
“This is a man who is a remorseless child predator who acted as if he was a friend, a neighbor and a man of God, and he killed this poor little girl,” Stollsteimer mentioned.
Having killed a toddler who knew and trusted him, he then “acted as if he was their family friend, not only during her burial and the period after that but for years,” the district legal professional mentioned.
Harrington, the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and his spouse, disappeared in mid-August 1975 whereas strolling from her Marple Township residence to Bible camp at Trinity Church Chapel, the place Zandstra was pastor. Her physique was discovered two months later by a jogger in Ridley Creek State Park in Media.
Harrington, often accompanied by her sisters however alone today due to a latest delivery in her household, was supplied a trip by Zandstra, who was additionally the daddy of certainly one of her greatest pals, Stollsteimer alleged.
“So when he offered her a ride in his car, of course she got in the car,” he mentioned.
Zandstra took her to a wooded location and finally struck her within the head, and believing her to be useless tried to cowl her physique, authorities mentioned. Returning to his church, he “tried to act like nothing had happened,” and when her father, pastor of the close by Reformed Presbyterian Church, referred to as looking for to seek out her, Zandstra was the one to name police, Stollsteimer alleged.
Over ensuing days, lots of of individuals searched close by wooded areas, and authorities distributed greater than 2,000 leaflets and arrange a 24-hour hotline that took lots of of calls, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported. When the lady’s physique was present in mid-October 1975, her clothes was “folded and in a neat pile” close to her physique along with her underwear hanging from a tree department “like a flag … as if to call attention to the place,” the Inquirer reported on the time.
Stollsteimer mentioned new info from an unnamed pal of the sufferer led state police to journey to Georgia and interview Zandstra, who authorities allege then confessed to the crime.
Trooper Eugene Tray mentioned the defendant’s demeanor was “relieved” as if it was “a weight off his shoulders.” Stollsteimer mentioned Zandstra, nevertheless, was preventing extradition from Georgia although the prosecutor vowed that he could be returned to face justice in Pennsylvania.
DNA from the defendant can be in comparison with materials from open circumstances in Pennsylvania and elsewhere, authorities mentioned. Zandstra lived in Texas and Georgia after leaving the commonwealth, they mentioned. The Christian Reformed Church lists him as having ministered in New Jersey, California and Texas earlier than retiring in 2005. Authorities mentioned they have been involved that there could have been extra victims and urged anybody with info to contact investigators.
Zandstra remained in custody in Georgia; a message was left Monday for a Pennsylvania legal professional listed as representing him.
Gretchen Harrington’s household requested for privateness however mentioned in a press release that they have been “extremely hopeful” that the particular person accountable could be held accountable for taking her away from them, which they mentioned “forever altered our family and we miss her every single day.”
“If you met Gretchen, you were instantly her friend. She exuded kindness to all and was sweet and gentle,” the household mentioned. “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.”
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