On November 4, 23-year-old Rebecca Park was reported missing after she went to Bradly Bartholomew’s house and failed to return home. At the time, Park was approximately 38 weeks pregnant.
After several weeks of searching, authorities discovered her remains on November 25 in the Manistee National Forest. However, tragically, her child was no longer alive in utero at the time of discovery.
According to the Michigan Attorney General’s statement, Cortney Bartholomew and Bradly Bartholomew allegedly lured Park into their home in Wexford County before forcing her into a vehicle and taking her to the woods. Once there, they subjected her to brutal torture with the intent to forcibly remove the fetus. This ultimately led to both women’s deaths.
“The brutality and disregard for human life displayed here are deeply troubling,” said Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey at Tuesday’s arraignment. “These two individuals created a plan… Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, forced her into another car, and took her to the woods where they stabbed her and cut her baby out.”
Prosecutors charged Cortney Bartholomew and Bradly Bartholomew with multiple felonies including one count each of first-degree premeditated murder, murder, conspiracy to commit torture, assault against a pregnant woman intending to cause miscarriage or stillbirth (and conspiracy for that too), and torture in confinement. They also face potential misdemeanor charges related to handling the body.
Attorney General Dana Nessel emphasized the cold-blooded nature of the crime: “This case reflects an extraordinary level of callousness… The evidence reveals a shocking lack of compassion.”
Park’s adoptive mother, Stephanie Park stated that she had cared for Rebecca and her two young children since age one. She expressed profound grief over losing both Rebecca and her grandchild.
The investigation remains ongoing with no confirmation yet if the baby’s remains were found separately.
