Youth Pastor Accused in Wife’s Cold Case Dies

Reno News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 26, 2026 · 1m

A Las Vegas youth pastor, David Vander Meer, died in police custody just days after being arrested for allegedly pushing his wife off a cliff in 2006 — a cold case reignited by a tip from his former boss. Investigators uncovered disturbing claims that he groomed a 14-year-old girl, turned the relationship sexual when she was 16, and told her the only way they could be together was if his wife was dead. His wife’s mother had long suspected foul play, and his $500K life insurance payout added fuel to the fire. Park officials questioned his behavior after the fall as “contrived.” Now, with…