Key facts
- David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor, died days after being charged with murder.
- His wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, died in a fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park in 2006.
David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor, died days after being arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, whose fatal fall in Zion National Park in 2006 was reinvestigated following new information.
The death of David Vander Meer before facing trial means he will not be held accountable in court for the charges of murder and insurance fraud related to his wife's death, leaving the legal case unresolved.
David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor, died days after being arrested and charged with the murder of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, who died in a fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park in 2006. A judge announced Vander Meer's death on Thursday during a scheduled extradition hearing.
Investigators reopened the inquiry into Bernadette's death in 2022 after receiving new information from a woman who alleged David Vander Meer had groomed her and been sexually involved with her when she was a minor in his youth group. According to court documents, the woman stated Vander Meer told her they could only be together if Bernadette was not alive.
Authorities had previously ruled Bernadette's death an accident. However, prosecutors recently accused David Vander Meer of responsibility, leading to his arrest on Monday and charges of murder and insurance fraud. Prior to his wife's death, Vander Meer had secured and increased life insurance policies for both of them, ultimately receiving a payout of over $567,000. He was also accused of insurance fraud.
Bernadette's mother had previously hailed the arrest as vindication for her daughter, with her father stating they had been waiting for this day.