Sheriff: Vander Meer died by self-strangulation in Clark County jail; review underway

Sheriff Kevin McMahill said David Vander Meer died by self‑strangulation in the Clark County jail and that a thorough review of the incident is under way. “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 added that longtime corrections officers had “never seen that particular method.” The sheriff declined to disclose further details, including how Vander Meer was able to harm himself while incarcerated. He noted that Vander Meer initially survived the incident, was taken to University Medical Center, and died the following day. Vander Meer was arrested on June 22 at a Summerlin yoga studio where he also worked. Authorities said he had pushed his former wife off a cliff at Zion National Park in 2006, a case that led to execution and security‑fraud charges related to the death of Bernadette Vander Meer. He had worked as a school counselor and formerly as a youth pastor. 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 had been alone, sitting upright and awake. “Officer Shulz observed Vandermeer had (redacted),” the report said. “Officer Shulz instantly began chest compressions until CCDC medical unit arrived.” Other specifics about Vander Meer’s injuries are redacted in the document. A Metro spokesperson confirmed that Vander Meer was not on suicide watch at the jail. The Las Vegas Review‑Journal has filed public‑records requests for the suicide note and related investigative files. The agency initially denied the request shortly after it was submitted on June 8, but on Wednesday McMahill said he believes the records should be released. “There’s a robust review of each 1 of the deaths that happen inside 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 guarantee the compliance, so I have no issues or concerns with the probe that I have been presented on Mr. Vandermeer.” He said Vander Meer’s family would be notified in advance, but that the note and other records would be made public in the coming days. “I have internal deliberation here with myself and anguish with releasing precise 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 expected to,” McMahill added. According to the Clark County coroner’s office, 90 inmates have died in the county jail over the past 12 years, nine of which were ruled suicides. If you’re thinking about suicide, or are worried about a person or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline web at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org.