ATLANTA — A Georgia pastor who was arrested in the murder of an 8-year-old Pennsylvania girl in 1975 has just been acquitted of the crime.
Up until 2023, David Zandstra has been living in Marietta with his family for nearly 20 years.
In July 2023, he was arrested in the 1975 murder of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington, who vanished while walking to Bible school.
Zandstra was the pastor at one of the two churches where the Bible school was held. Her father was the pastor of the 2nd church.
RELATED STORIES:
- 83-year-old Marietta man, former pastor arrested in cold case murder of 8-year-old girl
- Pastor arrested in 1975 murder of 8-year-old was “emotionless” when he confessed, Cobb police say
- CA officers looking to see if there are ties between 1991 missing girl case, pastor arrested in Cobb
Investigators said that before he and his family moved to Georgia, Zandstra knew the victim and her family very well. His wife even helped in the search when she vanished.
According to court records, a jury found Zandstra not guilty of murder in the first, second and third degrees. Two other charges were dismissed and another was withdrawn.
We are working to learn more about the verdict and what it means for the case going forward.
©2025 Cox Media Group
