Former Vegas Youth Pastor Charged in Connection with Wife’s…

Fall Injury National Utah in national, Utah: Bernadette Vander Meer fell to her death off Angel's Landing at Zion National Park in Utah on Aug. 22, 2006, while hiking with her husband David Vander Meer to celebrate their anniversary. The death was initially ruled an accident but deemed suspicious. In 2026, after new tips prompted investigators to reopen the case, David Vander Meer, 49, was arrested on June 22 and charged with murder and insurance fraud in connection with her death. Investigators say David increased life insurance policies from $150,000 to $600,000 shortly before her death, and a former youth group member alleged a sexual relationship with the youth pastor.