Michigan has been rocked by a gruesome murder case, as a mother and stepfather are accused of carrying out a chilling crime that left a community reeling. Prosecutors allege that Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her husband Bradley Bartholomew, 47, lured 22-year-old Rebecca Park—who was heavily pregnant—to a wooded area before ending both her and her unborn child’s lives in a barbaric act. The pair now faces a raft of charges, including homicide, torture, unlawful imprisonment, and improper disposal of a corpse.
Rebecca Park was just days away from welcoming a child when she disappeared early in November, sparking a massive manhunt across Boon, Wexford County. Investigators discovered her body on November 25 amid the thick trees of Manistee National Forest, not far from Lake Michigan’s shores. The baby, heartbreakingly, was nowhere to be found—and has not surfaced since.
Detectives say Rebecca was last observed on November 3, stepping into a vehicle outside her mother’s house, her 38-week pregnancy evident. She was reported missing the following day, igniting worry among loved ones and locals alike. It’s alleged that Cortney and Bradley enticed her to their home before driving to the forest, where the horrifying assault unfolded. Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey, at a December 2 arraignment, described how the accused attempted to remove the unborn infant, inflicting fatal injuries on Rebecca, then abandoned her in the wilderness.
Carey didn’t mince words, condemning the attack as “evil personified.” In a public statement, she detailed the shocking brutality and utter disregard for life, pledging to pursue justice for the victims without relenting: “This young woman and her baby faced unimaginable cruelty. The evidence points to staggering violence and heartlessness—but the defendants are entitled to their day in court, and we’ll reveal everything the investigation uncovered.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also spoke out, mourning Rebecca’s lost future and vowing unwavering support for the prosecution: “Rebecca deserved so much more. Our thoughts are with her grieving friends and family, and we’re determined to deliver swift, uncompromising justice.”
As the case unfolds, two others with links to Rebecca have landed in legal trouble as well. Her sister, Kimberly Park, faces charges for allegedly misleading detectives and fabricating details about the case—claiming family members assaulted Rebecca before she vanished, according to reports from the Detroit Free Press. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s fiancé, Richard Falor, stands accused on multiple counts related to methamphetamine production and distribution, unrelated to the murder allegations.
For now, the small town of Boon remains in shock as a courtroom showdown looms and more disturbing revelations trickle out by the day.
