Rebecca Park was expecting a child, her future filled with the quiet joy of motherhood. But on a cold November day, that future was brutally stolen. Her body was discovered deep within Michigan’s Manistee National Forest, a place of serene beauty now stained with unimaginable horror. The most chilling discovery? She was no longer pregnant, and her baby was missing.
Wexford County, a sparsely populated region far removed from the bustle of Detroit, became the epicenter of a nightmare. The investigation began swiftly, suspicion falling on those closest to Rebecca. Within days, her sister, Kimberly Park, and Kimberly’s fiancé, Richard Falor, were arrested, only to be released on bail, leaving a community reeling with unanswered questions.
The case took a horrifying turn with the arrests of Rebecca’s mother, Cortney Bartholomew, and stepfather, Bradly Bartholomew. The accusations were beyond comprehension: prosecutors alleged Cortney had cut the unborn child from Rebecca’s womb. The prosecutor, Johanna Carey, described the act as “evil personified,” a premeditated act of torture and murder.
This wasn’t a crime of passion, but a calculated plan, meticulously researched and coldly executed. Cortney initially denied any involvement, but a probable cause affidavit revealed a shocking confession. She admitted to the horrific act, claiming her husband, Bradly, was the baby’s father – a revelation that plunged the investigation into even darker territory.
The investigation unearthed a web of deeply disturbing relationships. Rebecca, her mother, and her sister were all involved in sexual affairs with the same man – Richard Falor. The family dynamics were fractured, twisted by betrayal and hidden desires, creating a breeding ground for unspeakable acts.
Cortney Bartholomew claimed Bradly had confessed to her that he was the father of the missing baby, uttering the chilling words, “Brad said it was his.” Prosecutors painted a gruesome picture of the events leading to Rebecca’s death. They alleged Bradly drove Rebecca to their home, where she was forced into another vehicle and taken into the woods.
There, according to the prosecution, Rebecca was stabbed, forced to lie on the ground while her baby was surgically removed, and ultimately left to die. Her body was then callously pushed down an embankment and covered with leaves, while the fetus was discarded in a cooler, a trash bag, and finally, a dumpster.
In a desperate attempt to control the narrative, Cortney Bartholomew posted a bizarre video on social media, claiming a black screen represented her alibi. Her 14-year-old son appeared in the video, stating his mother rarely went out at night, seemingly attempting to establish a timeline of innocence.
However, the truth began to unravel when investigators presented cellular data placing Cortney at the crime scene. Faced with irrefutable evidence, she confessed, claiming her intention was to save the baby and deliver it to Rebecca’s fiancé. But her story shifted again, alleging Bradly had killed Rebecca in retaliation against Falor, whom he suspected of cooperating with authorities.
Bradly Bartholomew’s past added another layer of horror to the case – he was a convicted sex offender. The affidavit revealed a chilling detail: Cortney claimed Rebecca was still conscious when the baby was cut out, with Bradly holding a knife to her throat.
Bradly, in turn, blamed his wife, claiming she was desperate for another child and that adoption was not an option due to his criminal history. Both Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew now face a litany of charges, including first-degree murder, torture, and conspiracy, each carrying the potential for a life sentence. The search for answers, and for the remains of Rebecca’s baby, continues, leaving a community shattered by a tragedy beyond comprehension.
