Murder arrest made 27 years after woman’s disappearance

The Associated Press

5 years ago

Richard Pyle (Butte County Sheriff's Office via AP) — Richard Pyle (Butte County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

This undated photo released by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office shows Tracy Zandstra. The Butte County Sherriff’s Office said Monday, Aug. 19, 2019, that they have arrested Richard Pyle in the killing of his girlfriend, Zandstra, who disappeared nearly 30 years ago. (Butte County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

CHICO, Calif. — Authorities in Northern California say they have arrested a man in the killing of his girlfriend, who disappeared nearly 30 years ago.

The Butte County Sherriff’s Office said Monday it arrested 55-year-old Richard Pyle last week in Stockton in the killing of Tracy Zandstra, who was living with him in Stirling City when she vanished in 1991.

The office says the body of the 29-year-old woman was never found that detectives have evidence showing she was killed and her body disposed of.

Officials wouldn’t discuss the evidence that led them to Pyle, who was living as a transient in Stockton.

It was not immediately known if Pyle has an attorney. He is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in the Butte County Superior Court.