A former youth pastor faces murder and insurance fraud charges 20 years after his wife died during a hike at Zion National Park. David Vander Meer, a resident of Las Vegas, was taken into custody on June 22 by the Washington County Attorney's Office with assistance from the U.S. Marshal's Office.
The Washington County Attorney's Office stated that Bernadette Vander Meer fell to her death on August 22, 2006, while hiking on Angels Landing. While investigators originally determined the death occurred under suspicious circumstances, no arrests were made at that time.
Following the receipt of a tip, the Washington County Attorney's Office reopened the investigation and identified David Vander Meer as a suspect in the case.
The Washington County Attorney's Office is asking anyone with information regarding David Vander Meer that could be relevant to the case to call their office at 435-301-7100.
