Former Vegas youth pastor charged with murder 20 years after his wife’s deadly fall at Zion National Park

David Vander Meer is charged with murder and insurance fraud in connection with the 2006 death.

A former Las Vegas youth pastor has been charged with murder and insurance fraud nearly 20 years after his wife fell 1,200 feet to her death in Zion National Park, court records show.

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U.S. marshals arrested David Vander Meer on Monday in connection with the Aug. 22, 2006, death of Bernadette Vander Meer at the park in Utah.

“At the time, due to a lack of evidence, and limited investigation, Bernadette Vander Meer’s fall was ruled an accident and the case was closed — although investigators felt the circumstances were suspicious,” a probable cause affidavit filed in Fifth District Court in Washington County says.