The former Broomall pastor who confessed to killing 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington in 1975 was extradited to the Delaware County Courthouse in Media Thursday afternoon to face charges in Gretchen’s abduction and murder, writes Vinny Vella for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

David Zandstra, 83, was charged in July with first-, second, and third-degree murder, as well as kidnapping, but had retired to Marietta, Ga.

He was extradited to Delaware County after prosecutors led by Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer lobbied Pa. Gov. Josh Shapiro to bring him back to Pennsylvania.

“And now, [Zandstra] will begin the process of facing justice for the horrible, evil thing he did to this poor little girl who trusted him because he was a pastor and a family friend,” said Stollsteimer outside the courthouse Thursday.

Zandstra was arraigned and then taken to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is pending.

Zandstra confessed to killing Gretchen and burying her body at Ridley Creek State Park after a woman came forward with childhood diary entries detailing that Zandstra had twice molested her days before Gretchen vanished. She also suspected Zandstra in the attempted kidnapping of a second girl days after Gretchen disappeared.

Find out more details about David Zandstra and this 48-year-old cold case in The Philadelphia Inquirer.