A youth pastor’s story is under scrutiny after his wife’s death 20 years ago. Bernadette, the wife of David Vander Meer, fell to her death in Zion National Park in Utah in 2006. The incident was initially ruled an accident, but new evidence has come to light, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding her fall.

Investigation and New Evidence

David and Bernadette were on a hiking trip in Zion National Park when the incident occurred. David claimed that Bernadette fell while hiking, but investigators have found inconsistencies in his story. New evidence, including statements from a former member of David’s youth group, suggests that David may have been involved in his wife’s death.

David had been leading a youth group at a church in the Las Vegas area, where he met Bernadette. The two got married, but their relationship was reportedly troubled. Bernadette’s parents, Richard and Laura, had suspicions about their daughter’s death, but they were unable to pursue the matter further at the time.

In 2022, a former member of David’s youth group came forward with allegations that David had been using his position to groom underage members, including a girl with whom he had been sexually involved at the time of Bernadette’s death. This new evidence has led investigators to re-examine the case, and they are now considering the possibility that David may have pushed Bernadette to her death.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.