A Yoga teacher accused of murdering his wife in Zion National Park has died in custody
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Las Vegas-based youth teacher and yoga instructor David Vander Meer has died in custody just days after he was arrested by US police on suspicion of murdering his wife, officials said.
Fox News Digital confirmed that Vander Meer died in custody before his arraignment on Thursday. According to records from the Clark County Office of the Coroner, he died Thursday and his death is “pending an investigation.”
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said a 49-year-old inmate at the Clark County Detention Center was taken to University Medical Center “for treatment of self-inflicted injuries” Wednesday, but did not release the inmate’s name. The suspect died on Thursday, the 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 name of the prisoner and the cause and manner of his death will be revealed by the coroner.
A FORMER YOUNG PASTOR FROM LAS VEGAS IS ALLEGED IN THE DEATH OF A WOMAN IN EZION NATIONAL PARK.
Photo of Bernadette Vander Meer, whose husband David is accused of pushing her off a cliff. Bernadette was 29 years old when she died. (KTSU)
Vander Meer was accused of killing his wife Bernadette Vander Meer.
Investigators say she was killed when she “fell out” while hiking with her husband in Zion National Park in Utah in 2006.
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The case was closed and reopened almost 20 years later in 2025.
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HIKER FALLS ON HIS HIKING IN ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH: ‘WAS BEYOND HELP’
The senior pastor of the church where Vander Meer worked warned authorities that he did not think Bernadette’s death was an accident, the probable cause affidavit said.
A possible social media account for Vander Meer says he also worked as a school counselor.
David Vander Meer, who was arrested by the US police for the murder of his wife, died in custody. (Instagram/Meta)
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The affidavit continues, “At that time, due to a lack of evidence, and a limited investigation, Bernadette Vander Meer’s fall was ruled an accident and the case was closed – even though investigators felt the circumstances were suspicious.”
Angels Landing, pictured here in Zion National Park, is considered one of the most dangerous hiking spots in the US, with steep drop-offs where climbers must hold on to knife-edge chains. (Stock)
The US military arrested Vander Meer on charges of murder and insurance fraud on Monday. After a lengthy investigation, prosecutors charged him with murder and insurance fraud.
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Vander Meer was scheduled to appear in court Thursday. Justice of the Peace Eric Goodman announced in court Thursday morning that Vander Meer had died, local media KLAS reported.
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The suspect is being held at the Clark County Detention Center and is awaiting extradition from Nevada to Utah, according to the outlet.
