David Vander Meer, 49, who was charged with murder and insurance fraud in connection with his wife Bernadette's death 20 years ago, died by suicide in custody on June 25. He had been taken into custody by US Marshals in Las Vegas on June 22.
In 2006, Bernadette Vander Meer, 28, died after falling from Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. At the time, her death was ruled an accident due to insufficient evidence, though investigators remained suspicious. The case was reopened after a tip in April 2022 from a former member of Vander Meer's youth group, identified only as SH.
According to court documents, SH alleged an ongoing sexual relationship with Vander Meer from the age of 16 until she was 19 or 20, which began when he was her youth pastor. SH stated that Vander Meer told her the only way they could be together was if Bernadette were no longer alive. She also claimed Vander Meer encouraged her to rent an apartment with another church member, which he funded, so they could have a place to meet.
Bernadette Vander Meer had reportedly expressed concerns about her marriage and confronted her husband about his suspected infidelity. Her mother told police that Bernadette was planning to divorce him if he did not end his relationship with another woman. Handwritten letters from Bernadette also indicated sadness in the marriage, and witnesses stated Vander Meer controlled her finances.
Investigators learned that shortly before Bernadette's death, the couple had increased their life insurance policies from $150,000 each to $600,000 each. Vander Meer told investigators he was taking a photo of his wife when he turned to grab something from his bag and heard her scream as she fell. This account differed from what he initially told investigators on the day of the incident.
Kathy Page, a childhood friend of Bernadette's and a witness at the memorial service, told People magazine that Vander Meer attended his wife's memorial service with another woman, who Page identified as the mistress. Page, who was grieving, said she was shocked by the presence of the other woman and noted that Vander Meer did not appear sad. Page recalled Bernadette mentioning suspicions of her husband's infidelity about a month before her death.
Vander Meer and SH reportedly rekindled their relationship a few months after Bernadette's death and married in 2008. The affidavit stated they married so David could be on SH's health insurance. The couple divorced in 2014 after SH discovered condom and hotel receipts and tested positive for a sexually transmitted disease, leading her to suspect Vander Meer of infidelity. Vander Meer was fired from his church in 2008 for hosting parties with underage members involving gambling and alcohol.
Following a life insurance payout of approximately $567,439 in 2007, Vander Meer reportedly lived lavishly, purchasing cars and funding trips and plane tickets. Page expressed that the arrest brought a sense of justice, stating, "He's not around to hurt anybody else anymore. End of story. It can be all put to rest. I mean, it's as close to a closure as you can get."