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Former youth pastor and Las Vegas-based yoga instructor David Vander Meer died while in custody just days after he was arrested by U.S. Marshals for allegedly murdering his wife, officials said.
Fox News Digital confirmed that Vander Meer died while in custody ahead of his scheduled hearing on Thursday. According to records from the Clark County Office of the Coroner, he died Thursday and his death is “pending investigation.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said a 49-year-old male inmate at the Clark County Detention Center was taken to University Medical Center “to be treated for self-sustained injuries” on Wednesday, but did not name the inmate. The man died on Thursday, police said.
The inmate had been in custody at CCDC since June 22 and was a fugitive from another state, police said. Police said the inmate’s name and cause and manner of death would be released by the coroner.
FORMER LAS VEGAS YOUTH PASTOR ACCUSED OF MURDER IN DEATH OF WIFE AT ZION NATIONAL PARK
A headshot of Bernadette Vander Meer, whose husband David is accused of pushing her off a cliff. Bernadette was 29 years old at the time of her death. (KTSU)
Vander Meer was accused of killing his wife Bernadette Vander Meer.
Investigators say she was killed when she “fell” while on a hike with her husband in Zion National Park in Utah, back in 2006.
The case was closed then reopened nearly 20 years later in 2025.
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HIKER FALLS TO HIS DEATH AT ZION NATIONAL PARK IN UTAH: ‘WAS BEYOND HELP’
A senior pastor at a church where Vander Meer had worked alerted authorities that he did not think Bernadette’s death was accidental, a probable cause affidavit says.
A possible social media account for Vander Meer says he also worked as a school counselor.
David Vander Meer, who was arrested by U.S. Marshals on a murder charge in his wife’s death, died in custody. (Instagram/Meta)
The affidavit goes on to say, “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.”
Angels Landing, pictured here in Zion National Park, is regarded as one of the most dangerous hikes in the U.S., with steep drop-offs where hikers must cling to chains along a knife-edge ridge. (iStock)
U.S. Marshals arrested Vander Meer on charges of murder and insurance fraud on Monday. After a lengthy investigation, prosecutors charged him with murder and insurance fraud.
Vander Meer was due in court on Thursday. Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman announced in court Thursday morning that Vander Meer was dead, local news outlet KLAS reported.
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The suspect was jailed at Clark County Detention Center and awaiting extradition from Nevada to Utah, according to the outlet.