LAS VEGAS, NV – A former youth pastor has been arrested and charged with murder and insurance fraud nearly 20 years after his wife fell 1,200 feet to her death at Zion National Park.
The Arrest and Relaunched Investigation
U.S. marshals arrested David Vander Meer on Monday in Las Vegas in connection with the August 22, 2006, death of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer.
While the incident at the Utah park was initially ruled an accident due to limited evidence, investigators always considered the circumstances suspicious. The case was officially reopened last year after the suspect’s former boss, Senior Pastor Barry Diamond, approached authorities stating he believed David pushed his wife.
Suspicious Timeline and Financial Motive
According to court documents, the couple was celebrating their wedding anniversary with a pre-dawn hike at Angel’s Landing. Vander Meer claimed he turned his back to adjust a camera for a sunrise photo, only to turn around and hear his wife scream as she fell.
However, a probable cause affidavit reveals a massive financial motive:
- Vander Meer increased their life insurance policies from $150,000 to $600,000 shortly before the trip.
- He successfully collected a payout of more than $567,000 in 2007.
Bernadette’s father, Richard Gudenkauf, told reporters he long suspected foul play, noting that his daughter was an experienced hiker who wouldn’t simply stumble off a cliff.
Secret Relationship Exposed
The breakthrough in the case came after a former youth group member, identified as SH, came forward. She revealed she was in an ongoing sexual relationship with Vander Meer that began when she was 16.
SH stated she broke off the affair the night before the fateful Zion trip. She also recalled Vander Meer explicitly telling her that “the only way they could be together is if Bernadette was not alive.” The two later married in 2008 and divorced in 2014.
Current Status
Vander Meer was also previously fired from his church position for throwing parties involving alcohol and gambling for underage church members.
He is currently held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas awaiting extradition to Washington County, Utah, to face formal murder charges.
