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Mother and Stepfather Arraigned on Murder and Torture Charges in Death of Pregnant Woman Rebecca Park

The Michigan attorney general says Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew were arraigned on Dec. 2 on multiple counts, including first‑degree murder and torture, in the death of 22‑year‑old Rebecca Park. Park, who was 38 weeks pregnant when she disappeared on Nov. 3, was later found deceased in Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25. Prosecutors allege Park was lured to her mother’s home and tortured in an attempt to remove the unborn infant, resulting in both deaths. Park’s sister and fiancé were booked on separate charges that prosecutors say are not linked to the discovery of the body.

03:42 PM, 12/03/2025Society
Mother and Stepfather Arraigned on Murder and Torture Charges in Death of Pregnant Woman Rebecca Park

Two people have been arraigned on multiple charges after the death of 22-year-old Rebecca Park, who was 38 weeks pregnant when she disappeared in early November.

On Dec. 2, Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her husband Bradly Bartholomew, 47, appeared before Judge Corey Wiggins in the 84th District Court in Cadillac. According to the Michigan Department of Attorney General, both face a slate of serious charges related to Park's death.

Charges:

  • First‑degree murder
  • Felony murder
  • Torture and conspiracy to commit torture
  • Assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth, and related conspiracy count
  • Unlawful imprisonment (felony)
  • Removal of a dead body (misdemeanor)

Each of the murder, torture and related counts carries the possibility of life imprisonment. Unlawful imprisonment and removal of a body carry additional maximum penalties under state law.

Authorities say Park was last seen around 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 3 in the Cadillac and Boon Township area. Her fiancé reported that she got into the front passenger seat of a dark-colored vehicle at her mother’s home that night. Investigators allege Park was lured to the Wexford County home of her mother and stepfather that evening.

A body matching Park’s description was found in the Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25, and an autopsy reportedly indicated Park was no longer pregnant at the time of death. Prosecutors allege the defendants tortured Park in an attempt to remove the unborn infant, resulting in the deaths of both the mother and fetus. Multiple agencies are continuing to investigate the condition and potential whereabouts of the baby.

Following the discovery of the remains, custody records show Park’s younger sister, Kimberly Bartholomew, 21, and Park’s fiancé, Richard Falor, 43, were booked into the Wexford County Jail. Prosecutors say those arrests are not connected to the discovery of the body. Kimberly was later arraigned on felony counts that include tampering with evidence, lying to a police officer, and filing a false report. Falor was arraigned on two counts of delivering methamphetamine, according to court records.

This remains an active and disturbing investigation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Sources: Michigan Department of Attorney General; Wexford County Sheriff's Office.

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