Inside the Relationship of Vander Meer and Teen Girl: Affidavit Outlines Timeline
Authorities said a renewed investigation found a $567,439 life insurance payout and allegations of grooming and sexual abuse before the murder charge.
- Former youth pastor David Vander Meer died by suicide Thursday while in custody at the Clark County Detention Center, days after his arrest for the 2006 murder of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer.
- Last October, authorities reopened the investigation into Bernadette's death after tips from associates, including Pastor Barry Diamond, alleged that David had intentionally pushed her off the Angels Landing trail.
- Court documents allege David groomed underage church members and raised life insurance policies to $600,000 before the incident, contradicting his earlier claims of an accidental fall.
- On Thursday, a judge adjourned the scheduled court hearing, stating, "He's not here; he's deceased," while the Clark County Coroner's Office continues listing the official cause of death as pending.
- While Angels Landing has seen 17 fatalities as of 2024, investigators previously considered Bernadette's death an accident, though authorities now claim the circumstances and lack of witnesses were suspicious.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Ex-youth pastor accused in wife’s 2006 death lived lavishly after insurance payout, authorities allege
In the years after a former Las Vegas youth pastor allegedly pushed his wife from an iconic peak at Zion National Park, he appears to have lived lavishly off an insurance payout from her death and threw booze-fueled parties for church youth, court documents allege
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Bombshell murder charge spotlights Zion National Park’s deadliest trail
An affidavit accusing David Vander Meer of killing his wife, Bernadette, at Angels Landing in 2006 has renewed scrutiny of other suspicious deaths at Zion National Park.
Inside the relationship of Vander Meer and teen girl: Affidavit outlines timeline
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) -- An affidavit obtained by 8 News Now outlines the timeline of the relationship between 49-year-old David Vander Meer and an underage girl. Vander Meer, who is accused of killing his wife nearly 20 years ago at Zion National Park, was found dead Thursday, just days after his arrest. The affidavit only named [...]
Former youth pastor accused of pushing wife off cliff in Zion National Park dies days after arrest
A former Las Vegas youth pastor who was accused of pushing his wife off a cliff while hiking in Zion National Park died Thursday — just days after he was taken into custody, authorities said.
Former youth pastor accused in wife’s death takes his life while in police custody
A former youth pastor charged this week with murdering his wife nearly 20 years ago after investigators reopened what had long been considered an accidental death has died by suicide while in police custody, authorities said.
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