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Ex-Youth Pastor Charged With Wife’s Murder, 20 Years After Her Fatal Fall

The New York Times • June 25, 2026 • nation

Key Points:

In 2006, Bernadette Vander Meer died after falling 1,200 feet from Angels Landing Trail in Zion National Park, with her death initially ruled an accident.
Her husband, David Vander Meer, a youth pastor, was recently charged with first-degree murder, accused of pushing her off the trail.
Investigators revealed David Vander Meer had an inappropriate sexual relationship with an underage member of his youth ministry and allegedly said they could be together only if his wife was dead.
Prosecutors also charged him with insurance fraud, claiming he took out $550,000 life insurance policies on both himself and his wife prior to her death.