Youth Pastor Accused in Wife’s Death

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

A former youth pastor is now facing murder and insurance fraud charges after new evidence reopened the 2006 death of his wife, who allegedly fell from a cliff during a hike — a case once ruled an accident. Investigators say he collected over half a million dollars in life insurance, while a senior pastor and a former teen member of his group allege grooming and a disturbing confession: “the only way we could be together was if she wasn’t alive.” Her father called her a “mountain goat” who wouldn’t just fall off a cliff — and now Vander Meer is in custody as the investigation deepens. Support…