Man charged with murder in wife’s 2006 fall at Zion National Park commits suicide ahead of first court appearance

LAS VEGAS (TCN) -- A man charged with murder in his wife’s 2006 death from a fall at Zion National Park has been found dead of apparent self-inflicted injuries before his first court appearance.

KSTU reports that on June 24, police found an inmate, later identified as 49-year-old David Vander Meer, with self-inflicted injuries. He was transported to the hospital for treatment and declared dead on June 25. NBC News reports Vander Meer died by hanging.

David Vander Meer’s wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, then 29, died in August 2006 after falling more than 1,200 feet from Angels Landing in Zion National Park, according to KSL. The couple was visiting the national park to celebrate their anniversary and had begun the hike at around 4:20 a.m., with the goal of reaching the summit at sunrise. 

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by KSL, “David set the packs down and when he turned around, Bernadette was gone. David heard her scream as she fell. David stated [to investigators] he did not see her trip or hear anything before she fell. … At the time, due to 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 investigation was reopened and revealed both Vander Meers had increased their life insurance policies to about $550,000 each. In 2022, authorities got a tip from a previous youth group member that alleged David Vander Meer used his position as a youth pastor to groom teens, per KSL. The person also said David Vander Meer had been in a sexual relationship with a girl that started when she was a teen and ended the day before the Vander Meer couple took their anniversary trip to the national park. 

According to court documents, the girl was 14 at the time the relationship began, KUTV reports. David Vander Meer was later fired from his position as youth pastor after he allegedly threw parties for the teen youth group members that included gambling and alcohol.

KSL reports that in 2025, the senior pastor at the church where David Vander Meer had worked told law enforcement he believed Vander Meer had pushed his wife and that her death was not an accident. After this tip, law enforcement reopened the investigation. 

In an interview with the teen who had allegedly been involved with David Vander Meer, she said he told her the only way for them to be together was if his wife was not alive. A few months after the fatal anniversary trip, Vander Meer and the teen rekindled their relationship. The teen’s name has not been released.

Vander Meer was arrested on June 22 by U.S. Marshals. According to KSL, he was charged with murder and insurance fraud and booked into jail. KVVU reports he was going to be extradited to Washington County, Utah, to face charges before he was found injured in his cell and later declared dead.

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