Wexford County, Michigan – Authorities in Northern Michigan have uncovered a killing so brutal that prosecutors described it as “evil personified.” A 22-year-old pregnant woman, missing for more than three weeks, was found dead in the Manistee National Forest — and now her mother and stepfather stand charged with murdering her and cutting her baby from her body.
Rebecca Park, who was 38 weeks pregnant, disappeared on November 3 after leaving her home near Cadillac. When investigators located her remains on November 25, they discovered that the unborn child was missing. What followed was a series of arrests and revelations that stunned the community.
What investigators say happened in the woods
During a court hearing on Tuesday, prosecutors shared the first detailed account of the alleged crime. According to Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey, Bradly Bartholomew, 47, and Cortney Bartholomew, 40, devised a plan to force Park into a vehicle, take her deep into the woods, and attack her.
Carey told the court that the pair stabbed Park, forced her onto the ground, and cut her baby out, killing both mother and child.
“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder,” Carey said, according to reporting from MLive.
“These two individuals created a plan, conducted research… This is frankly evil personified.”
Despite extensive searches, investigators still have not recovered the baby’s body.
Arrests and charges
The arrests of Park’s parents on Monday marked a turning point in a case that had already involved multiple family members.
Bradly and Cortney Bartholomew now face charges including:
- Murder
- Torture
- Assault of a pregnant person causing miscarriage or stillbirth
- Additional related counts
Before their arrests, police had taken two other relatives into custody on separate charges connected to the investigation.
Sister and fiancé also arrested
As detectives searched for clues, Park’s fiancé, Richard Falor, 43, was arrested on two counts of delivering methamphetamine. He was taken into custody shortly after investigators found Park’s body.
During the early hours of November 26, Park’s sister, Kimberly Park, 21, was arrested for allegedly interfering in the case. She faces charges of:
- Evidence tampering
- Lying to police during a violent crime investigation
- Filing a false report of a felony
Falor’s bond was set at $1 million. Kimberly Park’s bond was set at $750,000, with the court describing both as flight risks and potential dangers to the community.
Judge restricts livestream over national attention
As the case gained widespread media coverage, 84th District Court Judge Corey Wiggins abruptly ended public livestreaming during one of the hearings, citing the need to protect the defendants’ rights.
“The court has an ethical duty to ensure the defendants can have a fair trial,” Judge Wiggins said.
“In order to protect the defendants’ interests in this case, the court is going to take the court off of livestream.”
What happened before Rebecca disappeared
According to earlier reports, Rebecca was last seen getting into a vehicle with her mother after receiving $2,000 from an inheritance. Family members said they were worried when she vanished, and many had feared the worst long before her remains were located.
Family devastated as motive remains unclear
While investigators have not shared a definitive motive, relatives described how Park’s disappearance and the discovery of her death have shaken them to the core.
Her adoptive mother said the family had been bracing for tragic news but never imagined details this gruesome.
“I’m heartbroken, crushed,” she told local reporters. “I have to remain strong… We had been preparing for this outcome. Not quite as gruesome as this, but preparing.”
The search for the missing baby continues
Law enforcement officials are still searching for the baby’s body as they piece together the final movements of the mother and unborn child. The investigation remains active, and additional charges are possible as evidence continues to emerge.
What’s next in the case
Both Bradly and Cortney Bartholomew are expected to remain in custody as prosecutors prepare for what could become one of the most closely watched murder trials in Michigan in recent years. Meanwhile, the community remains stunned as investigators search for answers in a case marked by extraordinary brutality.
If you live in Michigan or have been following this case, share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
