Killer's DNA extracted from discarded plastic bottle: 79-year-old arrested after 45 years (PHOTO)

A woman screamed and disappeared into the depths of the canyon, her fate left unresolved for years until new evidence forced authorities to reopen the case. On June 24, 2026, police found the body of 49-year-old David Vander Meer, a former youth pastor, unresponsive in a holding cell at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada. He had been arrested just two days earlier, charged with murder and insurance fraud. His death came after he was taken to the hospital, but no treatment could save him. The incident marks a dramatic turn in the long-standing mystery surrounding his wife’s death, which occurred 20 years prior during their wedding anniversary hike. Bernadette Gudenkaug, 29, vanished from the narrow trail of Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Utah, on August 22, 2006. She and David had set off early in the morning to witness the sunrise, a tradition they shared. According to David, he had just adjusted his backpack when he heard his wife scream. Turning around, he saw nothing, only the steep descent ahead. Hours later, search teams discovered her body 300 meters below, far beyond the visible range of the trail. At the time, the incident was classified as an accident, though some questioned whether it might have been more than that. For years, the case remained closed, with no charges filed against David. Recent developments, however, have changed that. Police reopened the investigation after uncovering new information suggesting foul play. It emerged that David had recently increased his wife’s life insurance policy, resulting in a payout of $567,000. This financial motive has raised serious questions about the circumstances of her death. Further revelations indicated that David had engaged in a secret relationship with a minor, a teenager who was 14 years old at the time. The affair reportedly continued until she reached 16, with David allegedly telling her they would remain together only if Bernadette were no longer alive. He eventually married Bernadette in 2014, but the couple later divorced before remarrying twice more. The police investigation also uncovered troubling past behavior. David had previously been dismissed from his church position due to allegations of organizing underage parties involving alcohol. His former superior expressed doubts about the initial classification of Bernadette’s death as an accident. These findings prompted law enforcement to reassess the case, leading to his arrest. Despite the new charges, David claimed he had no intent to harm his wife and denied having suicidal tendencies. However, his death in custody has complicated the legal proceedings, as he was awaiting trial in Utah, where the alleged crime took place. Bernadette’s parents, Richard and Laura Gudenkaug, expressed relief that the case would not proceed to trial, avoiding the emotional toll of prolonged legal battles. They told The US Sun that they hoped this resolution would allow them to move forward without enduring the psychological burden of their daughter’s death. Meanwhile, Bernadette’s friend Kathy Page, speaking to People, revealed that her close friend had confided in her months before her death about suspicions that David was involved in an affair. Though she does not recall whether Bernadette shared the name of her supposed lover, she was shocked to see the woman seated beside David at the funeral service. She described him as appearing overly composed, raising further concerns about the truth behind the tragedy.