Pastor Who Allegedly Pushed Wife Off Cliff Sat With Alleged Mistress at Her Memorial
A woman who was close to Bernadette Vander Meer has claimed she was stunned to see the pastor’s alleged mistress attending Bernadette’s memorial service just days after the fatal incident that claimed her life.
The allegation surfaced after pastor David Vander Meer was arrested in June 2026, nearly 20 years after Bernadette died following a 1,200-foot fall from Angels Landing in Zion National Park. Investigators charged him with murder and insurance fraud in connection with her death.
Kathy Page, a former youth leader at Bernadette’s church who had known her since her teenage years, said she met with Bernadette about a month before the tragedy. During that conversation, Bernadette reportedly confided that she believed her husband was involved in an affair.
According to Page, more than 600 people attended Bernadette’s memorial service six days after her death. While grieving alongside other mourners, she said she noticed the woman she believed Bernadette had identified as David’s alleged mistress seated close to him.
“I can’t remember the connection… but I knew who it was,” Page told PEOPLE, explaining that although she cannot recall exactly how she learned the woman’s identity, she recognised her immediately.
The moment left her deeply unsettled.
“I’m married to a cop and I always suspect the spouse first. That’s what they always do,” she said. “Then when I saw that girl there, I didn’t want to say something that I was going to regret… Maybe he needed somebody to say something nice. Maybe he was hurting.”
Despite trying to give him the benefit of the doubt, Page said David’s behaviour at the service did not convince her he was overwhelmed by grief.
“I didn’t see the anguish. We were sobbing. I didn’t see that with him,” she said. “I try to give the benefit of the doubt if I can, but I still didn’t like it.”
Page said she saw David only once after the funeral before learning of his arrest by U.S. Marshals in Las Vegas on June 22, 2026.
“It was justice for Bernie,” she said after hearing the news.
David Vander Meer was taken into custody on charges of murder and insurance fraud related to Bernadette’s death. However, authorities later found him with self-inflicted injuries while in custody on June 24. He died the following day.
Looking back on the case, Page said the developments offered some closure for those who loved Bernadette.
“He’s not around to hurt anybody else anymore. End of story. It can be all put to rest. It’s as close to closure as you can get,” she said.
She added that, despite everything that had happened, she believed Bernadette’s compassionate nature would have led her to forgive him. “I think Bernadette would’ve forgiven him because that’s the kind of person she was,” Page said.
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