'Evil personified': Stepfather and mother charged with brutal murder of pregnant daughter

A pregnant woman was found dead last week in a Michigan forest, days after she was due to give birth. Her preborn baby was not with her body. The woman's mother and stepfather have now been charged with her murder.

Key Takeaways:

• The body of Rebecca Park was found on November 25. Park, who had been missing for three weeks, was 38 weeks pregnant at the time of her disappearance, but her child's body had been cut out and was not found with her.

• Four people with a connection to Park were arrested after her body was discovered, including her fiancé, her sister, her mother, and her stepfather.

• Authorities announced Tuesday that her mother and stepfather have been charged with her brutal murder.

The Details:

According to Up North Live, Michigan resident Rebecca Park, 22, was last seen getting into a vehicle at her mother's home in Boon Rapids on November 3. Her family reported her missing the next day. Park was approximately 38 weeks pregnant at the time of her disappearance.

On November 25, volunteer searchers found a body in Manistee National Forest, which was later confirmed to be Park. However, the body of her child — due three days before the discovery of Park's body — was nowhere to be found.

At that time, Wexford County Sheriff Trent Taylor said, “The Wexford County Sheriff’s Office, along with multiple law enforcement agencies, is working diligently to determine the condition and potential whereabouts of the baby."

Missing pregnant woman found dead in Northern Michigan, baby still not found

MLive reported that the FBI was called in to assist with the investigation.

After Park's body was found, authorities arrested her sister, Kimberly Park, on charges of tampering with evidence, lying to a peace officer, and a false report of a felony; her bond was set at $750,000. Rebecca's fiancé, Richard Falor, was arrested on two counts of delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance, and on charges of habitual offender fourth offense notice. His bond was set at $1 million.

Several days later, authorities arrested Rebecca's biological mother and stepfather, Cortney and Brad Bartholomew. The two were scheduled to be arraigned on Tuesday, and the charges were finally made public. The Bartholomews have been charged with "murder, torture and other crimes," according to the Times Union. Bond has been denied.

Prosecutor Johanna Carey said in court:

“This is a case of premeditated torture and murder. These two individuals created a plan, conducted research. Mr. Bartholomew brought Rebecca to their home, forced her into another vehicle and took her into the woods where they stabbed her, forced her to lie on the ground while they cut her baby out, ultimately caused her death and the death of the baby. This is, frankly, evil personified."

The Times Union added that "[a] motive was not disclosed by the prosecutor.... Cortney Bartholomew was Park's biological mother, but Park was raised by a couple who adopted her and her siblings."

MLive noted that 47-year-old Bradly Bartholomew "was charged with eight counts, including murder and intentionally assaulting in order to cause a still birth. Cortney Bartholomew, 40, was also charged with murder, among other counts."

The charges for both include:

... one count of first-degree murder; one count of felony murder[,] one count of torture; one count of conspiracy to commit torture; one count of assault on a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth; one count of conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual intentionally causing miscarriage or stillbirth; one count of unlawful imprisonment and one count of illegally moving a dead body.

The most recent media reports state that the body of Park's baby has not yet been located, but that the baby is believed to be dead.

The Bottom Line:

Authorities have reportedly seized a number of items, including knives, that they believe may have been used to commit the crimes, and continue to search for the remains of Park's baby.