LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The man arrested earlier this month in connection to his wife’s 2006 death has killed himself before his court appearance Thursday morning.
Former Las Vegas youth pastor David Vander Meer was expected to appear in court Thursday morning for a hearing about his extradition to Utah. He was facing charges of murder and insurance fraud related to the death of his wife, Bernadette, who fell to her death at Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park on August 22, 2006.
An attorney representing Vander Meer informed Judge Eric Goodman during the hearing that the pastor had died.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department later shared that an 49-year-old inmate who had been in custody waiting for extradition had been treated for self-inflicted wounds, and later was confirmed deceased.
Vander Meer was expected to be extradited to Washington County, where the charges were filed earlier this week.
This story is developing, and will be updated as we learn more.
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