A former youth pastor has been charged with murder nearly 20 years after his wife fell to her death during a sunrise hike at Zion National Park.
David Vander Meer, 49, was arrested Monday, June 22, in connection with the death of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, who fell from Angels Landing in Utah on Aug. 22, 2006, according to multiple reports citing the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
David is now facing charges of murder and insurance fraud. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada, according to reports.
Bernadette’s death was originally treated as an accident, but investigators reportedly considered the circumstances suspicious at the time. The case was later reopened after new tips were sent to the Washington County Attorney’s Office investigations bureau.
The couple had traveled to Zion National Park to celebrate their anniversary, according to a probable cause affidavit cited by NBC News, ABC4 Utah and KSL.com. They decided to hike Angels Landing before sunrise, one of the park’s most famous and dangerous trails.
David told investigators that he and Bernadette had been wearing headlamps on the hike but removed them near the top as daylight began to break.
He claimed that once they reached the summit, he set up a camera to take a photo of the sunrise while Bernadette stood near the edge. According to reports, David said he turned away to move their backpacks out of the shot, and when he turned back around, his wife was gone.
“At the time, due to a lack of evidence, and limited investigation, Bernadette Vander Meer’s fall was ruled an accident and the case was closed — although investigators felt the circumstances were suspicious,” the affidavit said, according to NBC News.
Investigators later noted another detail that raised questions.
David reportedly told authorities that he and Bernadette had increased their life insurance policies from $150,000 to $600,000 shortly before her death. He also denied that there had been infidelity in the marriage, according to ABC4 Utah.
NBC News reported that David later received a life insurance payout of more than $567,000.
The case was reopened after investigators received tips in 2022 and 2025.
One tip allegedly came from a former youth group member who accused David of using his position as a youth pastor “to groom kids,” according to reports citing the affidavit.
That former youth group member allegedly told investigators she began a sexual relationship with David when she was 16 and that the relationship ended the day before he left with Bernadette for their anniversary trip to Zion National Park.
The woman, who allegedly told investigators she was married to David from 2008 to 2014, was later interviewed again by Lt. Investigator Jessica Bate.
During that interview, she allegedly said David told her “the only way they could be together is if Bernadette was not alive,” according to NBC News. She also allegedly claimed Bernadette suspected David was being unfaithful.
A second tip reportedly came from a senior pastor at a church where David had previously worked. According to NBC News and KSL.com, the pastor told investigators that he believed Bernadette’s death was not an accident and that David pushed her.
Investigators also spoke with officers who had worked at Zion National Park. Those officers reportedly described the location of Bernadette’s fall as unusual, saying accidents do not typically happen there.
David’s next court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 25.
