Overview
- Vander Meer was arrested Monday in Las Vegas on murder and insurance-fraud charges tied to his wife Bernadette’s 2006 fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
- Officials announced he died in custody on Thursday after suffering self-inflicted injuries, and his death occurred before any extradition or court hearing could take place.
- Court filings allege a long-term sexual relationship with a former underage parishioner and contend Vander Meer raised his wife’s life-insurance policy shortly before her death, later collecting about $567,439 in 2007.
- Bernadette’s death was originally ruled an accident in 2006 because investigators found insufficient evidence, but the case was reopened after a tip from Vander Meer’s former church leader who told authorities he had pushed her.
- With criminal charges ended by his death, investigators will rely on coroner findings and a prosecutorial review to resolve forensic gaps and provide answers for Bernadette’s family and friends.