A former youth pastor accused of murdering his wife 20 years ago died by suicide in a jail cell on Thursday, three days after his arrest in connection with her death. David Vander Meer, 48, was taken into custody on Monday for the 2006 murder of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, who fell to her death from a hiking trail in Zion National Park.
Authorities were alerted by Vander Meer's former church leader, who informed investigators that Bernadette's fall was "not an accident" and that David had pushed her, according to Washington County court documents. The incident occurred on August 22, 2006, as the couple was hiking to the summit of Angels Landing to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Bernadette, 29, was found dead at the base of the formation, a notoriously treacherous site with steep drop-offs.
At the time of her death, Vander Meer told police he was setting up a camera for sunrise photos when he heard his wife scream as she fell. Due to a lack of evidence, the case was initially ruled an accident, though investigators remained suspicious of the circumstances.
Court documents unsealed after Vander Meer's arrest revealed allegations of an affair with a minor. While serving as a youth pastor, he allegedly began a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl, telling her they could only be together if his wife was no longer alive. Bernadette had reportedly grown suspicious of her husband's infidelity in the year leading up to her death, with court documents indicating Vander Meer was paying rent for a separate residence for the affair. The underage girl ended the four-year relationship the day before the couple's trip to Zion National Park.
Vander Meer was reportedly dismissed from his church position within one to two years of his wife's death, with prosecutors stating he allegedly hosted parties with alcohol for underage congregants. He married the woman with whom he had allegedly had the affair two years after Bernadette's death. The couple divorced in 2014, citing infidelity.
Investigators also found that Vander Meer had increased his wife's life insurance policy from $150,000 to $600,000 shortly before her death. He received a payout of approximately $567,439 in 2007. A coworker of Bernadette's had also expressed concerns to police about the circumstances surrounding her death, noting Vander Meer's absence from work functions and the purchase of a new Cadillac SUV with insurance money shortly after the couple sold a condo.
Authorities have not released specific details regarding the cause of Vander Meer's death in custody, citing only "self-sustained injuries."