CADILLAC — Friends held a candlelight vigil this week for missing pregnant woman Rebecca “Becca” Park, who disappeared more than two weeks ago at 38 weeks pregnant.
Park was last seen on Nov. 3 getting into an unidentified vehicle at her biological mother’s home in Boon Township.
Her disappearance has weighed heavily on those closest to her as they continue searching for answers.
Page Nolf, who described Park as her best friend, said Tuesday was especially emotional because it was Park’s due date.
“She’s my best friend and I just want her to come home and I’m getting really desperate at this point,” Nolf said.
Nolf said she came up with the idea for the vigil on Monday as friends continued looking for Park and worked to keep her name in the public eye. She said the uncertainty of the past two weeks has been overwhelming.
“My brain’s gone from the worst thing to the best thing,” Nolf said. “I keep trying to think that it might be the best thing that happened, but I can’t keep my brain in that focus now because it’s been so long.”
Nolf’s mother, Jennifer Ronk, said they had planned to share a prayer and have Nolf address the crowd but became too emotional to speak. She said her hope is that Park hears the community’s plea.
“Becca, if you’re out there, we love you. We all want you home. Your nephew is asking for you,” Ronk said.
About a dozen people attended the vigil. Nolf said they had originally planned to hold it where Park’s phone was found in Boon Township, near her biological mother’s house and the last place she was seen.
Instead, the group gathered in the Meijer parking lot where participants had planned to meet.
Julie Zingleman, who attended with her mother-in-law, said she did not know Park personally but lives near where she was last seen.
“My mind went from hoping or assuming that she took off and assuming that she had her reasons to do so,” Zingleman said. “I still hope that’s what happened. As more details come out and every detail is more bizarre than the last, then I think we’re all starting to think the worst.”
Bobby Rupert, who attended with his friend Chachi Martinez, said they drove from Prudenville to support those who know Park.
“I think about if it was my loved one out there, I would want them to return home safe,” Rupert said. “It just really hit home.”
Those who gathered said they hope the light from the vigil will help guide Park home.