Former Las Vegas youth pastor dies days after being charged in wife’s fatal fall

David Vander Meer, a former Las Vegas youth pastor, died on Thursday, June 20, 2024, days after his arrest for the 2006 murder of his wife. His wife, Jennifer Vander Meer, died after falling thousands of feet while hiking in Zion National Park, Utah. Authorities charged David Vander Meer with her murder following the emergence of new information. The announcement of his death was made by a Las Vegas judge during a scheduled extradition hearing. KSNV reported on the judge's announcement and the family's reflections on the case. The incident occurred two decades prior to the recent charges being filed.