Michigan Pregnant Woman Brutally Killed in Woods; Mom and Stepfather Accused of Stabbing Her and Cutting Out Baby, Prosecutors Say
BOON TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN — A 22-year-old pregnant woman missing for weeks was found murdered in the Manistee National Forest, and prosecutors say the people responsible were the two individuals she trusted most — her mother and stepfather. Authorities allege the pair forced her into the woods, stabbed her, and cut out her unborn baby in an attack the prosecutor described as “premeditated torture and murder.”
Body Found Weeks After Disappearance
Rebecca Park, who was nearly 38 weeks pregnant, was reported missing on Nov. 3. Her body was discovered Nov. 25 along a remote hiking trail in northern Michigan. Disturbingly, her unborn baby was not found at the scene and remains missing, investigators confirmed.
A massive search effort and weeks of silence from authorities ended Monday when 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew and 40-year-old Cortney Bartholomew — Rebecca’s stepfather and mother — were arrested and charged with murder, torture, and assault of a pregnant person causing miscarriage or stillbirth.
Prosecutor: ‘Evil Personified’
During a Tuesday bond hearing, Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey revealed details that left the courtroom stunned.
According to Carey, the Bartholomews devised a plan, researched methods, and then carried it out by forcing Rebecca into a vehicle and driving her deep into the woods.
“They stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, ultimately causing her death and the death of the baby,” Carey said. “This is frankly evil personified.”
Investigation Widens as Family Members Arrested
Prior to the murder charges, investigators had arrested two other family members on related crimes:
- Rebecca’s fiancé, 43-year-old Richard Falor, charged with two counts of delivering methamphetamine
- Rebecca’s sister, 21-year-old Kimberly Park, charged with tampering with evidence, lying to police, and filing a false felony report
Their bonds were set at $1 million and $750,000 respectively. Both were deemed flight risks and threats to the community.
Because of the high-profile nature of the case, a district court judge halted livestreaming of the proceedings to preserve the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
Timeline of Disappearance
Rebecca was last seen getting into a vehicle outside her home near Cadillac on Nov. 3, shortly after receiving a $2,000 inheritance. Her adoptive mother told reporters the family had spent weeks bracing for the possibility of a tragic discovery — but nothing as horrific as what was revealed in court.
“I’m heartbroken, crushed,” her adoptive mother said. “We were preparing for this outcome — not quite as gruesome as this outcome — but preparing for this outcome.”
Family Devastated as Baby Remains Missing
Investigators have not yet recovered the baby’s body, and the motive behind the killing remains unclear. Authorities describe the case as one of the most disturbing acts of familial violence the region has ever seen.
Bradly and Cortney Bartholomew remain in custody as the investigation continues.
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