WEXFORD COUNTY — A Wexford County couple has been charged in connection with the Rebecca Park homicide case.
The charges come following an arraignment postponement and multiple arrests in connection with Park’s disappearance.
The then-22-year-old Park disappeared the evening of Monday, Nov. 3, from her biological mom’s house on S. 21 ½ Road in Boon Township, in Wexford County.
At the time, after Rebecca was reported missing, her biological mother, Cortney Bartholomew, claimed it was after running errands with her. She also claimed Park got into a black vehicle with an unknown driver.
According to court records, it is alleged that on Nov. 3, together, Cortney and her husband Bradly Bartholomew lured Park — who was approximately 38 weeks pregnant at the time — to their Wexford County home.
The couple then allegedly tortured Park in an attempt to remove the unborn infant, resulting in the death of both.
Bradly Bartholomew has no biological relation to Park.
After an extensive search, Park’s remains were found in the Manistee National Forest on Nov. 25.
According to Park’s father in a Nov. 25 statement, he was the person who found her body with a search party while he was out looking for her on a two-track near her mother’s home in Boon Township.
As of Dec. 2, the whereabouts of Park’s baby’s remains are unknown.
At a Dec. 2 arraignment at the Wexford County Courthouse, Cortney Bartholomew was charged with the following counts:
- One count of first-degree murder – premeditated
- 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/stillbirth
- One count of conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual, intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth
- One count of unlawful imprisonment
- One count of removing dead bodies without a medical examiner’s permission
Cortney Bartholomew was denied bond.
At a Dec. 2 arraignment, Bradly Bartholomew, Cortney’s husband, was charged with the following counts:
- One count of first-degree murder – premeditated
- 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/stillbirth
- One count of conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual, intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth
- One count of unlawful imprisonment
- One count of removing dead bodies without a medical examiner’s permission
Bradly Bartholomew was also charged as a habitual offender – fourth offense notice.
Bradly Bartholomew was denied bond.
“Rebecca had everything to live for, and our hearts are with her loved ones as they endure this unthinkable loss,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “We are committed to working alongside the Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to ensure justice is pursued in this tragic case without delay.”
“This case involves a truly horrific homicide in which a young woman and her unborn child endured unimaginable suffering at the hands of the Defendants,” said Wexford County Prosecutor Johanna Carey. “The brutality and disregard for human life displayed here are deeply troubling. While these remain allegations until proven in court, the evidence reflects an extraordinary level of callousness and violence. We look forward to presenting the full facts in court.”
If convicted, the first two counts, first-degree murder – premeditated and felony murder, are punishable by life in prison without parole.
The torture charge has a sentence of life in prison or any term of years. A consecutive sentence may be imposed if the assault was committed in a place of confinement.
The fourth count of conspiracy to commit torture has a sentence of life in prison or any term of years and a $10,000 fine.
The fifth count of assault on a pregnant individual, intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth, carries a life in prison sentence or any term of years, as does count 6, conspiracy to commit assault on a pregnant individual, intentionally causing miscarriage/stillbirth. That charge also carries a $10,000 fine.
Count seven of unlawful imprisonment is a 15-year felony and/or $20,000 fine.
Count eight of removing dead bodies without a medical examiner’s permission is punishable by one year of incarceration and a $500 fine.
For Bradly Bartholomew — a habitual offender — the fourth notice is life in prison if the primary offense has a penalty of five years or more.
The Wexford County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution of this case with the assistance of the Department of Attorney General.
The Attorney General, Wexford County Prosecutor and Wexford County Sheriff remind the public not to interfere with the ongoing investigation and to avoid all active investigation sites.
Any individual who believes they have information to assist in the ongoing investigation may contact the tip line at 231-306-2072 or the Wexford County Sheriff’s Department at 231-779-9216.
A probable cause conference has not yet been set.
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