A former Las Vegas youth pastor who was accused of pushing his spouse off a cliff whereas mountain climbing in Zion Nationwide Park died Thursday — simply days after he was taken into custody, authorities mentioned.
David Vander Meer, 49, was being held at Clark County Detention Middle on first-degree homicide and insurance coverage fraud prices stemming from the demise of his spouse, Bernadette, 20 years in the past. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division mentioned he was taken to a hospital for “self-sustained accidents” on Wednesday and was later pronounced useless on Thursday.
The official trigger and method of demise shall be launched by the Clark County Coroner’s Workplace, police mentioned.
Vander Meer had instructed investigators that he and his spouse have been celebrating their 10-year anniversary after they hiked to the highest of Angels Touchdown — a tall rock formation in Zion Nationwide Park — in 2006. He claimed she fell to her demise whereas he was about 5 to 10 toes away, establishing a digital camera to take her image because the solar rose.
Her demise was initially dominated an accident, and Vander Meer later submitted a life insurance coverage declare with a payout totaling about $567,439, authorities mentioned.
That was the top of issues till final October, when the Washington County Lawyer’s Workplace in Utah obtained a tip from Barry Diamond — senior pastor of Legacy Christian Church, the place Vander Meer had labored as a youth pastor — that Bernadette might have been pushed to her demise.
An arrest warrant was issued for Vander Meer on June 16, and he was taken into custody Monday.
Diamond instructed investigators that Vander Meer had inappropriate and sexual relationships with youth group members on the church, based on an affidavit. One woman, recognized solely as SH, was about 14 years previous when Vander Meer allegedly started grooming her with presents, particular consideration and knee touches and hugs in 2002. In response to the affidavit, she mentioned their relationship turned sexual when she turned 16.
Vander Meer later allegedly purchased her a secret telephone. In response to the affidavit, SH mentioned Vander Meer instructed her the one approach they could possibly be collectively was if “Bernadette was not alive.”
Vander Meer took out life insurance coverage insurance policies for him and his spouse, with values finally exceeding $550,000 in March 2005, investigators mentioned.
When SH was 18, she mentioned Vander Meer instructed her to maneuver out of her dad and mom’ residence and to hire an condo with one other woman from church. For over a 12 months, she says Vander Meer paid for her hire, based on the affidavit.
Forward of the fateful journey to Zion, Bernadette was rising suspicious about Vander Meer’s habits. In response to the affidavit, she penned two handwritten notes expressing disappointment in her marriage, and associates mentioned she couldn’t even buy new work garments as a result of she gave all her cash to Vander Meer.
A day earlier than their journey to Zion, SH ended what was then a four-year relationship with Vander Meer, telling him it was unsuitable and he or she wished to pursue somebody her age at church, court docket paperwork say.
The 2 would resume their relationship a couple of months after Bernadette’s demise.
After receiving the life insurance coverage payout, Vander Meer allegedly purchased SH and one other youth group member a automotive. He additionally bought a home and took a number of journeys, authorities mentioned.
Diamond mentioned he later fired Vander Meer after studying that he threw events for underage church members, with alcohol and playing. In 2008 Vander Meer — then unemployed — entered a personal marriage settlement with SH to get well being advantages via her job, based on authorities.
They publicly married in 2010, however divorced in 2014.
In 2022 the case involving Bernadette’s demise was reopened for authorities to observe up on allegations reported by a former youth group member. Investigators interviewed SH about her relationship with Vander Meer, however no prices have been filed.
In October, new data confirmed Vander Meer’s relationship with SH, prompting authorities to resume the investigation.
