WEXFORD COUNTY — Kimberly Park faces three felony charges after investigators reported she repeatedly misled law enforcement during the investigation into the death of her sister, 22-year-old Rebecca Kay Park, whose body was found last month in a remote area of Wexford County.
Wexford County Court records detail that Kimberly Park was allegedly more involved in the murder plot than initial investigations uncovered.
According to an affidavit filed Nov. 22 in 84th District Court, Kimberly Sue Park, 21, is charged with tampering with evidence in a criminal case punishable by more than 10 years, lying to a peace officer during a violent crime investigation, and filing a false report of a felony.
The charges stem from statements Park made to the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation into her sister’s disappearance and death.
Investigators said Kimberly Park first contacted law enforcement on Nov. 4 at 12:44 p.m. to report Rebecca missing.
To note: An affidavit is a sworn written statement made under oath. Law enforcement officers, investigators or witnesses often use them to document facts as they understand them at that stage of an investigation.
Affidavits commonly support search-warrant requests, arrest-warrant requests and charging documents. Courts rely on them to determine whether probable cause exists to take a particular action.
They are not proof of guilt. An affidavit reflects allegations, observations or evidence as interpreted by investigators. It is not a judicial finding of fact, nor is it sufficient to prove guilt. Guilt can only be established in court through due process, including evidence presented at trial or a plea.
Rebecca, who was 38 weeks pregnant, had been living with her boyfriend, Richard Lee Falor. Park told deputies her sister was last seen the night before with Cortney Bartholomew at a residence on 30 ½ Road in Boon Township.
On Nov. 22, Park made statements during a social media livestream claiming Cortney Bartholomew and her husband, Brad Bartholomew, were involved in Rebecca’s disappearance.
That same day, Park told D/Lt. Chris Piskor that Cortney and Brad had struck Rebecca in the head, causing a seizure, and later contacted a friend to remove her body. She told investigators Brad had mentioned a swamp.
Two days later, during an interview with D/Sgt. Alicia Baxter, Park said she had been in a romantic relationship with Falor and that her relationship with him was complicated by his relationship with Rebecca.
Deputies found a woman’s body Nov. 25 off Federal Forest Service Road 9784, about 2.5 miles west of the Bartholomew residence.
Investigators said tattoos on the body matched Rebecca Park and that she had sharp-force trauma to the neck and abdomen.
In a recorded interview later that evening, investigators said Park claimed Falor told her he had killed Rebecca and had been trying to cut the baby out. She also told detectives Falor said Austin Nowland helped him and that Falor had urged her to mislead investigators.
Park later made additional claims about Rebecca being stored in another location, which investigators said were unsubstantiated.
Detectives arrested Falor for open murder based on statements Kimberly Park had given. Investigators also interviewed Nowland, who denied involvement and provided phone records showing he was not in Wexford County on Nov. 3 or 4.
Nowland allowed a search of his phone and later of a vehicle linked to him. Detectives said Nowland confirmed previous romantic relationships with both Kimberly and Rebecca.
A follow-up interview with Kimberly Park on Nov. 26 ended when she requested an attorney.
Park faces up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine for the evidence tampering charge, and up to four years for each of the remaining felonies.
On Dec. 9, Kimberly Park’s next court appearance was rescheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 16.
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