Youth Pastor Charged in Wife's Death

Mesa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 27, 2026 · 1m

A former youth pastor is facing murder and insurance fraud charges after allegedly staging his wife’s death in 2006 to collect over half a million dollars in life insurance. The case, initially ruled an accident, reopened last year with damning new evidence—including a former church member’s testimony that Vander Meer said he could only be with his wife if she were dead. Bernadette’s father questioned the ruling, noting she was an experienced hiker. Investigators also uncovered claims of grooming minors, lies about fidelity, and lavish spending of insurance money on other partners. Vander…