Before Sunrise: A Death on Angels Landing

In August 2006, a young woman fell to her death from one of the most famous cliffs in the American national park system while hiking with her husband, the only witness. It was ruled an accident. Twenty years later, two phone calls changed everything and in June 2026, the case ended in a way nobody saw coming. SHOW NOTES 🖤 FOLLOW PRETTY WICKED New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe so you never miss one. Instagram: @prettywickedthepodcast If you loved this episode, leaving a review means the world and helps other listeners find the show. Pretty Wicked is written, researched, and hosted by Megan Alda. 🖤 SOURCES & FURTHER READING Here is everything used to research this episode. 🔗 WEB SOURCES NBC News - Former Vegas youth pastor charged with murder 20 years after his wife's deadly fall at Zion National Park NBC News - David Vander Meer, former Vegas youth pastor charged in wife's murder, dies before court appearance NBC News - Ex-youth pastor accused in wife's 2006 death lived lavishly after insurance payout, authorities allege CNN - 20 years after his wife fell to her death in Utah, a youth pastor's story unravels PEOPLE (via AOL) - Cheating pastor sent teenage mistress to confront wife during church tryst months before murder Las Vegas Review-Journal - Las Vegas man David Vander Meer arrested in 2006 death of wife at Zion National Park Las Vegas Review-Journal - Bernadette Vander Meer's family reacts to arrest of her ex-husband Las Vegas Review-Journal - David Vander Meer dies before hearing in 2006 case involving wife's death Las Vegas Review-Journal - Las Vegas school where Vander Meer counseled issues statement; 'not enough,' parent says Las Vegas Review-Journal - Bombshell murder charge renews questions about other deaths at Angels Landing Las Vegas Review-Journal - 'No winners in any of this,' former pastor says of Vander Meer death Las Vegas Review-Journal - Clark County sheriff addresses Vander Meer case, calls in-custody death 'unique' Las Vegas Review-Journal - 'A real angelic being': Friend reflects on Bernadette Vander Meer's life and death Las Vegas Review-Journal - Las Vegas church rehired David Vander Meer as youth pastor despite hearing concerns, former staff say Las Vegas Review-Journal - Hiker falls to death at Angels Landing in Zion National Park (April 2026) Las Vegas Review-Journal - Bernadette Vander Meer obituary, published Aug. 26, 2006 (via Legacy.com) KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas - 20 years later: What led investigators to charge an ex-Las Vegas youth pastor with murder in his wife's death KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas - Family of Las Vegas woman speaks out after husband charged with her murder nearly 20 years later ABC News - Former youth pastor dies day he was set to appear in court for the 2006 death of his wife News 3 Las Vegas (KSNV) - 'Suspected him all along': Parents react to arrest of Las Vegas man for wife's death News 3 Las Vegas (KSNV) - 'She's been vindicated': Family reflects after 2006 Zion murder suspect's death News 3 Las Vegas (KSNV) - Former youth pastor in Las Vegas arrested in wife's 20-year-old murder case 8 News Now (KLAS) - 'Vindicated': Henderson family of woman killed in 2006 rejoice over former husband's arrest 8 News Now (KLAS) - Family of Zion NP murder victim reacts to suspect's jailhouse suicide 8 News Now (KLAS) - Inside the relationship of Vander Meer and teen girl: Affidavit outlines timeline 8 News Now (KLAS) - Charges filed against Las Vegas man for allegedly murdering wife during Angels Landing hike in 2006 KSL - Husband charged in 2006 death of wife in Angel's Landing fall KUTV - Former youth pastor charged in wife's death accused of relationship with underage girl ABC4 Utah - Charges filed against Las Vegas man for allegedly murdering wife during Angels Landing hike in 2006 Fox 13 Utah - Man charged with wife's murder at Zion allegedly had affair with underage girl Fox News - Former Las Vegas youth pastor accused of murder in death of wife at Zion National Park St. George News - Details emerge in cold case alleging husband pushed wife to her death at Zion National Park Backpacker - Man accused of pushing wife off of Angels Landing found dead before court date The Washington Times - Former Las Vegas pastor dies in custody after being charged in wife's murder at Zion National Park Deseret News - Texas man identified as hiker who fell at Angels Landing at Zion National Park 📚 BOOKS None for this episode, this case broke in June 2026, so all research comes from court documents and news coverage. 🎬 DOCS None yet - this story is only weeks old. Expect coverage to follow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices