Youth Pastor Accused in Wife’s Death

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 the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/85e56214ce2e65be