David Vander Meer, who was arrested last month and charged with murder and insurance fraud in connection with his wife's 2006 death, died by suicide in a Las Vegas jail cell on June 24, according to newly released police records. He was awaiting extradition to Utah.
Authorities found Vander Meer unresponsive in his cell at the Clark County Detention Center, where he had been held since his arrest. Investigators noted that Vander Meer left behind a handwritten suicide note and a handwritten will. The contents of these documents and the specific nature of his injuries have not been disclosed. He died the following day at University Medical Center.
During health and mental health screenings after his booking, Vander Meer had denied having suicidal thoughts, the report stated.
Case Reopened After Nearly Two Decades
Bernadette Vander Meer, then 28, died on August 22, 2006, after falling from Angels Landing, a popular but hazardous trail in Zion National Park, Utah. At the time, her death was ruled an accident, though investigators found the circumstances suspicious. The case remained dormant for nearly 20 years until new information prompted investigators to reopen it in 2022.
New information included a tip in 2022 alleging that David Vander Meer, a former youth pastor and school counselor, had groomed children and engaged in a sexual relationship with one of them. In 2025, his former church supervisor told investigators he did not believe Bernadette's death was accidental. These developments led prosecutors to file charges of murder and insurance fraud against David Vander Meer, alleging he fraudulently collected approximately $567,000 in life insurance benefits after his wife's death.
Bernadette's family and friends had long questioned the circumstances of her death. Friends recalled her confiding that her marriage was deteriorating and that she was considering divorce. Her mother had previously stated that Bernadette had expressed concerns about her husband's alleged infidelity shortly before the trip to Zion National Park.
David Vander Meer maintained his innocence after his arrest. With his death, the criminal case is expected to be dismissed, leaving the allegations unresolved in court. At least 18 people have died on the Angels Landing trail since 2000.
