3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 25
Summary
Washington County prosecutors charged David Vander Meer on Tuesday with first-degree murder and insurance fraud, nearly 20 years after his wife Bernadette died in a 1,200-foot fall at Zion National Park's Angels Landing trail.
Court documents say Vander Meer pushed his 29-year-old wife off the trail in 2006, after years of a sexual relationship with an underage girl in his youth ministry whom he told they could be together only if his wife were "not alive."
Prosecutors also allege he bought life insurance policies in 2005 for himself and his wife that eventually totaled $550,000 each, adding a financial motive to the case.
Bernadette Vander Meer's death was ruled an accident at the time because investigators lacked evidence, and the case was closed until the new charges were announced.