David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor accused of pushing his wife off a cliff in Zion National Park in 2006, died in custody on Thursday. The 49-year-old was arrested earlier this week on charges of first-degree murder and insurance fraud in connection with the death of his wife, Bernadette, who fell to her death during a hike. Vander Meer was taken to a hospital on Wednesday after sustaining self-inflicted injuries and was pronounced dead the following day. The Clark County Coroner’s Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
Vander Meer initially claimed Bernadette’s death was an accident, stating she fell while he was setting up a camera to take her picture. The case was reopened in 2025 after a tip from Barry Diamond, senior pastor at Legacy Christian Church, where Vander Meer had worked. Diamond alleged Vander Meer had inappropriate relationships with youth group members and questioned the circumstances of Bernadette’s death. An arrest warrant was issued on June 16, and Vander Meer was taken into custody on June 22.
The case had been closed for nearly two decades before new evidence prompted authorities to reopen it. Vander Meer had submitted a life insurance claim totaling approximately $567,439 after his wife’s death. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Vander Meer’s death but did not provide further details pending the coroner’s investigation.