The in-custody death of David Vander Meer, who was arrested late last month after authorities said he pushed his former wife off a cliff at Zion National Park in 2006, is under robust review, according to Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill.
“What I will tell you, though, without compromising any of the integrity of that investigation, is that he strangulated himself, and he did it in what I would say a unique and novel way,” McMahill said during a Wednesday interview.
He said that long-time corrections officers had “never seen that particular method.”
The sheriff declined to share any additional information, including how Vander Meer was able to harm himself at the jail.
However, he said that Vander Meer initially survived and was taken to the University Medical Center, where he died the next day.
David Vander Meer worked as a school counselor and was a former youth pastor. He was arrested on June 22 at a Summerlin yoga studio where he also worked.
A Metropolitan Police Department report stated that Vander Meer was found face down and unresponsive in his cell on June 24. About 30 minutes earlier, the report said, he was alone, sitting upright and awake in his cell.
Vander Meer faced murder and insurance fraud charges in the 2006 death of his first wife, Bernadette Vander Meer.
A report released last week provided some details about the circumstances around David Vander Meer’s death, including that he left behind a suicide note and will.
Police said that an officer was conducting visual checks when he noticed Vander Meer on the ground around 11:30 p.m. Other details about David Vander Meer’s injuries are redacted in the report.
“Officer Shulz observed Vandermeer had (redacted),” the report said. “Officer Shulz immediately began chest compressions until CCDC medical personnel arrived.”
A Metro spokesperson said Vander Meer was not on suicide watch at the jail.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal has submitted public records requests seeking copies of the suicide note and other investigative documents from Metro. Within about an hour of the request being submitted on June 8, the department denied it, but on Wednesday, McMahill said he believes the records should be released.
“There’s a robust review of every one of the deaths that occur within the detention center, and there will continue to be,” McMahill said. “We look at all the things — policy, procedure, training, tactics, leadership, supervision — that happened to ensure the compliance, so I have no issues or concerns with the investigation that I have been presented on Mr. Vandermeer.”
He said that Vander Meer’s family would be notified in advance, but that the note and other records would be released to the public in the coming days.
McMahill added, “I have internal discussion here with myself and heartache with releasing very private information, but these are also the laws of the state of Nevada, and so I’m trying to comply with them in the way that we’re supposed to.”
Clark County coroner’s office records show that 90 inmates at the county jail have died in the past 12 years. Nine were ruled to have died by suicide.
If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline network at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.
