Jealous Mom Kidnaps Her Own 22 YrOld Pregnant Daughter, Takes Her Into Forest & Cuts Unborn Baby Out
In this episode of Rotten Mango, the disappearance of Becca Park, a 22-year-old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant, is examined. The case unfolds following a dinner with her biological mother Courtney and half-sister Kim, leading investigators through a web of suspects including Becca's older fiancé Rich, who had previously dealt meth and had an affair with her mother.
Three weeks after her disappearance, Becca's body was discovered in the Manistee National Forest, revealing evidence of a crude C-section performed while she was still alive. The investigation points to a premeditated crime motivated by the desire to take her unborn baby, with evidence linking the crime scene to properties owned by her mother and Bradley Bartholomew.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 18, 2026 episode of the Rotten Mango
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Becca Park
The Initial Disappearance
On November 4th, 2025, Becca Park, a 38-week pregnant 22-year-old, was reported missing by her sister Kimmy. The day before her disappearance, Becca had visited the hospital believing she was in labor, but was sent home. Prior to vanishing, she had attended what was described as a "weird lasagna inheritance dinner" with her biological mother, Courtney, and half-sister, Kim.
Complex Web of Suspicion
Becca's fiancé Rich, significantly older than her, became a person of interest due to his history of dealing [restricted term] and an affair with Becca's mother. According to Stephanie Soo's reporting, Rich claimed he spent the entire day with Becca watching movies before she left with Courtney, expecting her to return shortly.
Courtney's account raised additional suspicions when she described Becca leaving in a mysterious black SUV. Her story contained several inconsistencies, including claims about multiple phones and accusations against various individuals, including Kim and a woman named Ashley. Despite finding Kim's debit card at the crime scene, police found no direct evidence linking suspects to the disappearance.
The Murder and Its Aftermath
Discovery of the Crime
Three weeks after her disappearance, Becca's body was found in the Manistee National Forest. Stephanie Soo reports that the crime scene revealed a horrific act: someone had performed a primitive C-section in the forest using truck headlights for illumination. The perpetrator used a hunting knife and dental floss to remove the baby while Becca was still alive.
Evidence and Motive
Key evidence included Kim's debit card at the crime scene and the proximity of the body to Courtney and Bradley Bartholomew's property. A direct path through the forest led to their porch, and Becca's phone was discovered in nearby woods. The primary motive appears to be the theft of Becca's unborn baby, suggesting a premeditated plan to take the child, either to raise it or possibly sell it.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by sharing your location in real-time with trusted contacts whenever you go to unfamiliar places or meet with people you don't know well. For example, use location-sharing features on your smartphone or invest in a personal safety app that notifies your contacts if you don't check in as planned.
- Develop a habit of documenting your daily activities and encounters in a personal journal or digital log. This can be useful for recalling details and providing accurate accounts of your whereabouts and interactions, much like how inconsistencies in testimonies can be critical in investigations.
- Educate yourself on the basics of forensic science and crime scene analysis through online courses or community workshops. This knowledge can help you understand the importance of preserving evidence and being observant of your surroundings, which could be crucial in emergency situations.
Get access to the context and additional materials
The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Becca Park
The case of Becca Park is a puzzling one, involving family drama, a complicated romantic relationship, and suspicious activities leading up to her disappearance and murder.
Becca Park, 22, Pregnant, Missing November 3, 2025
On November 4th, 2025, Becca Park, a 38-week pregnant 22-year-old, goes missing. The day before her disappearance, Becca thought she was going into labor and visited the hospital, only to be sent home as she was merely one centimeter dilated. Her sister, Kimmy, alarmed by the unusual absence, reports Becca missing since no one had heard from her and it was notably out of character for her.
Kimmy Reports Becca Missing When She Doesn't Return
Stephanie Soo reports the incident, highlighting that Becca's sister, Kimmy, was the one to alert the police about her disappearance, emphasizing the gravity of the situation given Becca's pregnant state.
Police Probe Becca's Activities and Relationships Before Disappearance
Prior to going missing, Becca had an uncomfortable dinner, referred to as the "weird lasagna inheritance dinner," with her biological mother, Courtney, and half-sister, Kim. During the dinner, Courtney presented her daughters with checks from their grandmother's inheritance, which turned out to be tests of their intentions, and reassured them that while they wouldn’t receive money that day, they would get it later.
Becca Visited Her Mom and Half-Sister Before Disappearing
This last visit with her mother and half-sister is one of the final noted events before Becca's disappearance. The interactions at the inheritance dinner are part of the investigation into her whereabouts.
Becca's Fiancé Rich Is a Person of Interest For Abuse and Suspicion
Becca’s fiancé, Rich, who is significantly older than her and involved in an affair with her biological mother, is looked at closely by the police. Considered a shady character with a history of dealing [restricted term], Rich also comes under suspicion due to the nature of his relationship with Becca. She had confided in her mother about Rich ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder of Becca Park
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance personal safety by setting up a check-in system with friends or family when going out, especially during late pregnancy or other vulnerable times. Explain to your chosen contacts the importance of this system and establish a routine, such as sending a simple message or making a quick call at predetermined times. For example, if you're going out for an appointment or meeting someone, let your contact know where you'll be and when you expect to return, so they can alert authorities if you don't check in as planned.
- Develop a habit of documenting and sharing important personal encounters with a trusted individual. Keep a journal or use a secure digital app to note down significant interactions, especially those that make you feel uncomfortable or involve financial matters. For instance, after a family dinner where inheritance or money is discussed, write down the details of the conversation and the participants' reactions, then share this information with someone you trust. This practice can provide a clear record of events and intentions, which can be crucial in times of dispute or investigation.
- Create awareness about the signs of unhealthy relationsh ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Suspicion and Accusations Among Becca's Family and Associates
The complex web of suspicion and accusations continues to entangle Becca's family and associates, as police sift through contradictory information and the community buzzes with rumors.
Courtney Provides Contradictory and Evasive Information to Police
Courtney faces scrutiny for providing information that doesn't seem to add up.
Courtney's Story of a Mysterious Black Suv Doesn't Add Up
Courtney claims to have seen a mysterious black SUV, specifically a Chevy with tinted windows, arrive unexpectedly, and that Becca got into the passenger seat after implying she had to do something. Despite her urge to follow, Courtney went to sleep instead of taking action, and finds out the next morning that Becca did not return home. The complexities of Courtney’s explanations, including the involvement of two or three of Becca's phones, leave the police puzzled as the found phone lacked evidence of her narrative.
Courtney Accuses Kim and Ashley; Police Find No Evidence
Courtney accuses a man named Mike and a woman named Ashley, who is Rich's other baby mama, of being complicit in Becca's decision to leave Richard. She also blames Becca's half-sister, Kim, for her disappearance, though she only provides anecdotal evidence and mentions of missing scalpel-like tools, one of which cannot be found. Despite finding Kim's debit card at the crime scene, no direct evidence connects either Courtney or Kim to any wrongdoing.
Courtney has been accused of not wanting the police to search her house, but she asserts on social media that her property has been searched. She contends that Rich was fixated on her and accuses him of breaking into her house, which she claims resulted in a miscarriage. Courtney's lack of recorded evidence is attributed to not affording SD cards for her live-feed surveillance system. Additionally, Courtney says she saw Becca delete something from a phone but cannot specify what or from which device.
Family Concerned Rumors Impede Investigation
Becca's disappearance has led to numerous unsettling rumors circulating online. Friends mention offers to trade victims with a supposed kidnapper, among other disturbing claims. Speculations range from kidnapping to holding Becca hostage, which are tho ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Suspicion and Accusations Among Becca's Family and Associates
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Becca's disappearance is significant because it involves potential criminal activity, such as kidnapping or foul play. Authorities investigate to ensure her safety and to determine if any laws were broken. The case affects multiple people connected to Becca, increasing its complexity. Public interest and rumors also pressure law enforcement to resolve the situation quickly.
- Rich has children with more than one woman, which complicates family relationships. The term "baby mama" refers to a woman who has a child with a man but is not married to him. This dynamic often leads to tensions and conflicts among the women and their children. Such relationships can influence suspicions and accusations within the family.
- The "mysterious black SUV" is significant because it could represent the last known vehicle involved in Becca's disappearance. Identifying this vehicle might provide clues about who took Becca or where she was taken. It also challenges Courtney's credibility, as inconsistencies in her account affect the investigation's direction. Confirming the SUV's presence or absence helps police verify or dismiss key witness statements.
- The "scalpel-like tools" likely refer to sharp instruments resembling surgical scalpels, which can be used for precise cutting. Their absence is relevant because it suggests possible tampering or removal of evidence related to Becca's disappearance. Missing tools could indicate involvement in a crime or concealment of physical harm. This detail raises suspicion about the people connected to the case.
- Finding Kim's debit card at the crime scene suggests she was physically present or involved in the events there. It can link her to the location and timeline of the disappearance. This evidence can raise suspicion or prompt further investigation into her role. However, it does not prove guilt without additional supporting facts.
- A live-feed surveillance system streams video footage in real time, often to a remote device or cloud storage. SD cards are physical memory cards used to locally store recorded video from cameras. Courtney lacks SD cards likely due to the cost, preventing her from saving footage for later review. Without stored footage, she cannot provide recorded evidence to support her claims.
- The rumors about trading victims suggest a belief that individuals are being exchanged between criminals, implying organized criminal activity. Kidnapping rumors imply that Becca was forcibly taken against her will, possibly for ransom or other motives. These rumors often arise in high-profile disappearances due to fear and uncertainty but lack verified evidence. Such speculation can hinder investigations by s ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Becca's Murder and Theft of Her Unborn Baby
Becca's Body Found In Manistee Forest Weeks After Disappearance
Three weeks after Becca goes missing, her body is discovered in the Manistee National Forest, signaling a horrific crime. Stephanie Soo paints a chilling scene where someone performs a primitive C-section in the dark of the forest using the headlights of a truck for illumination. Using a hunting knife and dental floss, the perpetrator forcibly removes the baby from Becca's body. She suffered multiple stab wounds and was alive during the stabbing and the brutal extraction of her baby, experiencing extreme pain and torture. Her throat was slit, and she was left to die in the woods.
Crime Scene Evidence: Kim's Debit Card
Found at the crime scene was a debit card belonging to Kimberly Park, Becca's half-sister, raising suspicions about her involvement. The location of Becca's body was also significantly close to Courtney and Bradley Bartholomew's property, with a straight path through the forest leading directly to their porch. Their property's proximity to the crime scene, the discovery of Becca's phone in the nearby woods, and social media posts about having cameras watching the road add to the air of suspicion.
Motive: Stealing Becca's Unborn Baby, Ind ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Becca's Murder and Theft of Her Unborn Baby
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by sharing your live location with trusted contacts whenever you're traveling to remote areas. By using location-sharing features on your smartphone, you ensure that someone knows where you are, which can be crucial if you find yourself in an emergency situation.
- Develop a habit of checking in with a friend or family member when you go out, especially if you're meeting someone new or going somewhere unfamiliar. This could be as simple as sending a quick text message or making a brief phone call to let someone know your plans, who you're with, and when you expect to return.
- Consider tak ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
