Nearly 20 years after the death of his wife was ruled an accident at Zion National Park, former Las Vegas youth pastor David Vander Meer was charged with murder and insurance fraud following a reopened investigation that uncovered new witness testimony and long-standing allegations of misconduct.

U.S. Marshals arrested Vander Meer after Washington County prosecutors alleged his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer, did not accidentally fall to her death while the couple was hiking in Utah’s Zion National Park in August 2006. At the time, Vander Meer told investigators he had stepped away to clear obstructions from a camera set up to photograph the couple when he “heard her scream as she fell.”

Although authorities initially ruled the death accidental, investigators later acknowledged they had concerns from the beginning.

“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,” the probable cause affidavit states.

The case was reopened after Barry Diamond, a former senior pastor at the church where Vander Meer had served as a youth pastor, told investigators he never believed Bernadette’s death was an accident.

“For years,” Diamond said, he tried contacting authorities, but “nobody returned my calls.” Eventually, he said, “I just felt like God wouldn’t leave me alone.”

Investigators say the renewed probe uncovered allegations that Vander Meer had been grooming an underage girl from his church. According to court documents, the former youth group member told detectives Vander Meer began grooming her when she was 14 and entered into a sexual relationship with her when she was 16.

The woman told investigators she ended the relationship the night before Bernadette’s death because she “felt it was wrong.” When she was interviewed again after the case was reopened, she alleged Vander Meer told her “the only way they could be together is if Bernadette was not alive.”

According to the affidavit, Vander Meer “had a lot to lose if Bernadette found out” about the relationship. Investigators wrote that he risked losing his marriage, his position as a youth pastor, and potentially facing criminal charges because of the girl’s age.

The investigation also revealed financial questions surrounding Bernadette’s death. Court documents state that Vander Meer increased the couple’s life insurance policies by $400,000 each less than a year before the fatal hike. After Bernadette’s death was ruled accidental, he collected more than $567,000 in insurance proceeds, which investigators allege he later spent on luxury vehicles and vacations with romantic partners.

Diamond credited the former youth group member’s willingness to come forward as a turning point in the investigation.

“That was really the key piece to this whole thing,” he said, adding that other former youth group members had shared accounts of emotional trauma over the years but had been too afraid to speak publicly.

Following Vander Meer’s arrest, Bernadette’s parents said they finally felt their daughter had been vindicated after nearly two decades of unanswered questions.

When they learned charges had been filed, their first response was, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Bernadette’s mother, Laura Gudenkauf, said years of frustration eventually gave way to surrendering the situation to God.

“We gave it to God,” she said, because “we didn’t want it to ruin our lives.”

She remembered her daughter as “a good Christian woman” who used her “beautiful voice” to lead worship at church, expressing gratitude that investigators never stopped pursuing the truth.

Heavenly Father, bring Your peace to everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Comfort those who continue to grieve and remind us that justice and healing are ultimately found in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.