Almost half a century after the abduction of an 8-year-old girl en route to Bible camp, a former Pennsylvania pastor, now 83, is facing charges of kidnapping and murder, law enforcement officials announced Monday.
Charges Levied Against David Zandstra
David Zandstra, a former spiritual leader in Pennsylvania, has been indicted on charges of criminal homicide, murder in the first, second, and third degree, minor abduction, and possession of a crime instrument. These charges are tied to the unresolved 1975 murder case of Gretchen Harrington, according to a press release from the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office.
“Justice has been long awaited, but we are grateful and proud to finally give the community closure in this haunting Pennsylvania pastor crime,” said District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer.
In August 1975, Harrington left her home to attend a summer Bible camp hosted at two Pennsylvania churches – Trinity Church Chapel Christian Reform Church and The Reformed Presbyterian Church. Zandstra, who was the pastor of Trinity, and Harrington’s father, the pastor of Reformed, were both involved in the camp.
