David Vander Meer, a former youth pastor and yoga instructor based in Las Vegas, died while in custody after being arrested by U.S. Marshals for the alleged murder of his wife, Bernadette Vander Meer. His death occurred on Thursday, June 26, 2026, while he was awaiting a court hearing. According to the Clark County Office of the Coroner, the cause of death is under investigation.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported that a 49-year-old male inmate was taken to University Medical Center for treatment of self-sustained injuries on Wednesday, but did not confirm the inmate's identity. Vander Meer had been in custody since June 22 and was a fugitive from another state.
Vander Meer was accused of murdering his wife during a hike in Zion National Park in Utah in 2006. The case was initially closed but reopened nearly 20 years later in 2025 after a senior pastor expressed doubts about the circumstances of her death. Vander Meer faced charges of murder and insurance fraud, and was scheduled to appear in court on the day of his death.