David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor, died just days after being arrested and charged with murdering his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, who fell thousands of feet to her death while hiking in Utah's Zion National Park in 2006. At a scheduled extradition hearing on Thursday, a Las Vegas judge announced that Vander Meer was deceased, according to KSNV.
Investigation Reopened After New Information
In 2022, investigators reopened the inquiry into Bernadette's fatal fall from Angels Landing after receiving new information that David had groomed and been sexually involved with a minor in his youth group ministry at the time, according to a court affidavit. The woman, now an adult, told investigators that David Vander Meer had said they could only be together if Bernadette was not alive, according to court documents.
From Accident to Murder Charge
Local authorities had previously ruled Bernadette's death an accident, but prosecutors recently accused David of being responsible. He was arrested Monday and charged with murder. In August 2006, David and Bernadette went on a hike in Zion to celebrate an anniversary. David told investigators that he had walked away to move their backpacks before a photograph when he heard Bernadette scream. He said he turned around to find her missing.
Life Insurance Payout and Lavish Lifestyle
Prior to Bernadette's death, David secured life insurance for the two of them, increasing their policies from $150,000 each to $550,000 each. After her death, he received a life insurance payout of $567,439 and, according to investigators, lived "lavishly." He was also facing a charge of insurance fraud.
Family Reaction
A 2006 obituary for Bernadette said she was survived by "her adoring husband, David." Earlier this week, when prosecutors announced David's arrest, Bernadette's mother hailed the move, saying her daughter was "vindicated" to 8 News Now. Bernadette's father, Richard Gudenkauf, said to the station: "We've been waiting on the Lord for this day."
The Las Vegas police department did not immediately reply to the Guardian's request for comment.
