CADILLAC, Mich. — The living nightmare for Rebecca Kay Park ended in tragic confirmation this week, as authorities charged her biological mother and stepfather in one of the most horrifying crimes to hit this area in decades. Her body — and the remains or absence of her unborn child — have exposed an unspeakable act of violence that has stunned the community.
On Dec. 2, 2025, in a packed courtroom in Wexford County’s 84th District Court, 40‑year-old Cortney Bartholomew and 47‑year-old Bradly Bartholomew were formally arraigned on a raft of charges related to the death of Rebecca, who was 22 and roughly 38 weeks pregnant when she vanished on Nov. 3. The couple now face multiple felonies including first‑degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, conspiracy to commit torture, assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth, conspiracy to commit that assault, unlawful imprisonment, and removal of a dead body without permission.
Prosecutors painted a grim picture: the Bartholomews allegedly lured Rebecca to their Wexford County home that evening, then forced her into a vehicle and drove her deep into a remote forest. Once there, they stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground, and cut the baby from her womb — killing both mother and child.
When asked for bond, prosecutors argued there were no circumstances under which the pair should be released. The judge agreed, denying bond for both Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew. Bradly Bartholomew also carries a “habitual offender” enhancement, raising the stakes even higher.
The courtroom was filled with grief and anger — family members, longtime friends, and neighbors who prayed for answers during the weeks of searching, shocked by the grim revelations. Outside, cars bore signs reading “Justice 4 Rebecca and Baby Park.”
Authorities say the remains discovered on Nov. 25 in the Manistee National Forest match Rebecca’s description; an autopsy confirmed she was no longer pregnant at death. But the baby’s whereabouts remain unclear. So far, no remains of the infant have been publicly recovered or identified. Law enforcement — including the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, state police and federal agencies — continue an active investigation, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Also arrested in connection with the case were Rebecca’s sister, Kimberly Park, and her fiancé, Richard Lee Falor. While they are not charged with murder, Kimberly faces charges of tampering with evidence, lying to police and filing a false police report. Falor is being held on methamphetamine‑distribution charges — a disturbing detail that further complicates an already tragic story.
“This young woman had everything to live for,” said the adoptive mother who raised Rebecca — the family that loves her now must cope with a loss that defies comprehension. As the investigation presses on, so does a community’s hope for justice — and maybe, some closure.
