Pregnant Woman’s Murder: A Family’s Twisted Betrayal

The Disappearance of Rebecca Park

In the quiet, wooded expanse of Northern Michigan’s Wexford County, a chilling mystery began to unfold in November 2025. Rebecca K. Park, a 22-year-old woman 38 weeks pregnant, vanished without a trace. The last people to see her were her own family, a group whose shifting stories and mutual accusations would soon paint a disturbing picture of betrayal, deceit, and unimaginable violence.

A Troubled Family History

Rebecca, known as Becca, was raised by her foster parents, Stephanie and the Parks, after being placed in their care as a young child along with her siblings. Her biological mother, Courtney Fox (now Bartholomew), and stepfather, Bradley Bartholomew, had a history that raised immediate red flags. Bradley Bartholomew possessed a criminal record dating back to 2000, including convictions for criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, possession of child sexual abuse material, and repeated failure to register as a sex offender. Becca’s fiancé, Richard Fowler, whom she was planning to marry, was also significantly older than her—twice her age, in fact—and had a history of his own concerning convictions, including sexual conduct with an underage person and accosting a child for immoral purposes.

Despite being estranged for years, Becca had reconnected with her biological family. She lived with Fowler on his father’s rural property. The couple was saving money for a wedding and a place of their own. Becca already had two children, who were being raised by her foster mother, Stephanie Park. Her unborn child was with Fowler.

The Day of Disappearance

On November 1st, 2025, the family gathered for dinner: Becca, her younger sister Kimberly, her mother Courtney, and Courtney’s son Bentley. The following day, November 2nd, Becca believed she was going into labor and was taken to the hospital by a friend, but it turned out to be a false alarm. Her due date was November 18th.

The critical events unfolded on November 3rd. Becca reportedly went to her mother Courtney’s home, claiming she needed Tide Pods. She then told her mother that a friend was coming to pick her up. Courtney stated the last she saw of Becca was her getting into a dark-colored sedan. Becca has not been heard from since.

The Search and Emerging Suspicions

The very next morning, November 4th, Becca Park was reported missing to the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office. A widespread search was launched involving volunteers, canines, and drones. Adding to the confusion, Becca’s cell phone was allegedly found by her sister Kimberly on a dirt road not far from Courtney’s home. Investigators noted that Becca had reportedly received an inheritance of approximately $2,000 the day she vanished, a sum that could facilitate her disappearance if she had chosen to leave, though friends insisted this was out of character for the heavily pregnant woman.

As the search intensified, inconsistencies and alarming revelations began to surface among the family members. The narrative of Becca willingly leaving with an unknown person while in active labor struck many as implausible. The situation became even more convoluted when it emerged that Richard Fowler, Becca’s fiancé, had previously been in a relationship with Becca’s mother, Courtney.

A Web of Accusations

The family’s public statements quickly devolved into a barrage of mutual accusations. Kimberly reportedly suggested her mother and stepfather were involved in Becca’s disappearance. Courtney, in turn, accused Kimberly of attempting to frame her and her husband, Bradley, and suggested Kimberly might have been in the dark sedan herself. She also alluded to Becca having been sent to Tennessee, a claim later contradicted by other family members.

Further complicating matters, Kimberly alleged that Courtney and Richard Fowler were having an affair, and that Bradley Bartholomew was also involved. The possibility that all four—Courtney, Bradley, Richard, and Kimberly—had conspired to murder Becca began to emerge.

A Horrific Discovery

On November 25th, nearly three weeks after Becca’s disappearance, two volunteers discovered her body in the Manistee National Forest, not far from her family’s residences. Becca had been stabbed multiple times in the neck and stomach. The most horrific detail was the discovery that her unborn baby had been surgically removed from her body. It appeared Becca had been killed shortly after her disappearance, with her body concealed in the woods.

Arrests and Conflicting Accounts

Following the discovery of Becca’s body, Richard Fowler was arrested on drug charges. Kimberly was arrested for tampering with evidence and lying to police, with a judge deeming her a flight risk. Becca’s biological mother, Courtney Bartholomew, and stepfather, Bradley Bartholomew, were arrested and charged with eight felonies, including torture, conspiracy, and murder.

Investigative affidavits revealed a grim narrative: Courtney and Bradley allegedly brought Becca to their home, forced her into a vehicle, took her to the woods, and stabbed her. They then allegedly cut the baby out of her while she was still alive, leading to her death and the death of the infant. The baby’s body was reportedly kept in their home for a couple of days before being placed in a tote bag near a logging site.

However, even in the face of these charges, the family’s stories remained fractured. Bradley Bartholomew reportedly told police that Courtney had stabbed Becca, while Courtney claimed Bradley was the perpetrator. Both mother and stepfather initially pointed fingers at Kimberly, suggesting she killed Becca because she wanted Richard Fowler for herself. Later, they reportedly accused Richard.

The Motive and the Unborn Child

The prevailing theory, supported by evidence from affidavits, suggests Courtney Bartholomew harbored a deep-seated jealousy of her daughter and a desire to keep the baby for herself. Investigators believe Courtney may have wanted the grandchild because her own children had been taken away years prior. She had reportedly been texting Becca, urging her not to give birth in a hospital and even texting a distant relative that she had given birth to a son, soliciting items for the new baby. Evidence suggested Courtney and Bradley had been researching how to cut a baby from a womb for months, indicating premeditation. The plan was to ensure Becca did not give birth in a hospital.

The fate of the baby remained a critical question. While the initial belief was that the baby had been cut from Becca’s body, the exact circumstances of the infant’s death and its final resting place were part of the ongoing investigation.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

The case against Courtney and Bradley Bartholomew for the torture and murder of Rebecca Park and her infant was moving through the court system. Further hearings were scheduled for January 30th, 2026. While Richard Fowler faced drug charges, and Kimberly faced charges related to evidence tampering and obstruction, the primary focus remained on Courtney and Bradley for the brutal murders. The sheer volume of conflicting statements and the deep-seated animosity within the family suggested that the full truth of this horrific event might still be unfolding.

Broader Implications

The case of Rebecca Park highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence, substance abuse, and deeply dysfunctional family dynamics. The involvement of individuals with significant criminal histories, including sexual offenses, within the immediate family circle created a volatile environment. The alleged premeditation and extreme violence underscore the need for vigilance and intervention when warning signs are present. The case also raises questions about the effectiveness of the child welfare system and the long-term impact of family separation. The ongoing legal proceedings serve as a stark reminder of the complexities of justice in cases involving intricate family relationships and brutal crimes.

Source: Cops Discover Entire Family Hides a Disturbing Secret (YouTube)