Cold Case Cracked: Former Reverend Arrested for 1975 Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl

An 83-year-old former reverend, David Zandstra, has been arrested for allegedly killing 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in 1975 while she was on her way to his Bible camp. Zandstra confessed to police, stating that he beat her to death after she refused to undress. He allegedly disposed of her body and went back to the church. Zandstra, who later served as a reverend in Texas and Georgia, is currently in custody in Georgia and fighting extradition. Witnesses and Zandstra himself placed him driving on the road where Gretchen was last seen. Prosecutors also revealed a separate incident of alleged sexual assault involving Zandstra. The Harrington family expressed hope for justice and thanked law enforcement for their relentless pursuit of answers.