Pregnant 22yo Found Gutted - Mom, Stepfather, Sister, & Fiance ALL Arrested W/ Different Stories
In this episode of Rotten Mango, the focus is on a Michigan murder case involving Rebecca Park, a 22-year-old woman who was found dead in a national forest in November 2025. The case centers on the victim's mother Courtney, stepfather Bradley, half-sister Kim, and fiancé Rich, all of whom became suspects in her death. The investigation uncovered a complex web of relationships, affairs, and betrayals among the suspects.
The summary covers the police investigation, including conflicting accounts from the suspects about what happened to Rebecca and her unborn child. Key evidence includes suspicious behavior by the suspects, such as cleaning with bleach and removing truck seats, as well as a crucial debit card found at the crime scene. The summary also addresses questions about potential charges related to the death of Rebecca's unborn baby, whose remains were never recovered.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Jan 21, 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
Rebecca Park's Disappearance and Murder: Timeline and Circumstances
Rebecca Park, a 22-year-old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant, disappeared on November 4, 2025, after being picked up by her half-sister Kim. Three weeks later, on November 25, her body was discovered in a Michigan national forest, roughly two and a half miles from her mother and stepfather's home. The body showed signs of a brutal attack: multiple stab wounds and evidence that her unborn baby had been removed using dental floss to sever the umbilical cord.
Affairs and Complex Relationships Between Key Figures Involved
The case revealed a web of complicated relationships. Rebecca's mother Courtney had an affair with Rebecca's fiancé, Rich Faillor, a former [restricted term] dealer, despite being married to Bradley Bartholomew, a registered sex offender. Rebecca's half-sister Kim also had an affair with Rich. These relationships were marked by betrayal and conflict, with both Courtney and Kim speaking derogatorily about Rebecca.
Competing Narratives and Accusations by Suspects
The suspects provided conflicting accounts of the crime. Courtney claims Bradley killed Rebecca by stabbing her, and she cut out the baby to save it. She also mentions that Bradley had searched online about performing c-sections two months before the murder. Bradley, however, accuses Courtney of the stabbing and murder. Meanwhile, Kim claims she witnessed both Courtney and Bradley assault Rebecca, causing her to have a seizure, before disposing of her body.
The Police Investigation and Interrogation of the Suspects
During police interviews, suspicious behavior emerged from both Courtney and Bradley. They removed truck seats and cleaned with bleach, actions that seemed like attempts to destroy evidence. Bradley eventually confessed, revealing that Courtney killed Rebecca and took the baby, and he helped by slitting Rebecca's throat and disposing of the body. A debit card belonging to Kim was found at the crime scene, though Kim claims she was framed.
Mystery of Rebecca's Unborn Baby
According to Courtney's testimony, after attempting CPR on the baby, she placed its remains in a blue cooler and later disposed of them in a garbage bin. The baby's remains were never recovered. Stephanie notes that this aspect of the case raises questions about whether the assault charge should be considered a separate murder charge for the baby.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your personal safety by setting up a check-in system with friends or family when traveling, especially in late stages of pregnancy or other vulnerable situations. Explain to your chosen contacts the importance of the system and establish a routine, such as sending a message upon departure and arrival during trips or when meeting someone new. This creates a safety net, ensuring someone is aware of your whereabouts and can raise the alarm if you don't check in as expected.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the legal system by researching and advocating for laws that address crimes against pregnant individuals. Start by reading up on current legislation in your area and then reach out to local representatives or join advocacy groups focused on this issue. Your efforts could contribute to pushing for legal reforms that recognize the rights of unborn children in criminal cases, potentially leading to changes in how such crimes are charged and prosecuted.
- Foster a supportive community environment by volunteering with organizations that work with at-risk individuals, such as those with a history of substance abuse or domestic violence. Look for local shelters, hotlines, or support groups where you can offer your time or resources. By contributing to these services, you help create a network of support that could prevent tragedies by providing resources and assistance to those in need before situations escalate.
Get access to the context and additional materials
Rebecca Park's Disappearance and Murder: Timeline and Circumstances
The disappearance and tragic murder of Rebecca Park has left a community shaken. Here is a brief overview of the key events surrounding this heartbreaking case.
Rebecca Park, 22, Missing At 38 Weeks Pregnant, November 4, 2025
Rebecca Park, who was 22 years old and 38 weeks pregnant, vanished on November 4, 2025. On the night she went missing, witnesses confirm that she was last seen being picked up by her half-sister, Kim. The details surrounding her disappearance remained a mystery until the grim discovery of her body.
Body of Rebecca Found Nov 25, 2025, Near Mother Courtney and Stepfather Bradley's Home
Nearly three weeks later, on November 25, Rebecca's body was discovered in a national forest in Michigan, approximately two and a half miles from where her mother, Courtney, and s ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Rebecca Park's Disappearance and Murder: Timeline and Circumstances
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can increase your personal safety awareness by taking a self-defense class, which will equip you with the skills to protect yourself in unexpected situations. For example, many community centers offer affordable classes that teach basic self-defense techniques, allowing you to feel more confident and prepared should you ever feel threatened.
- Enhance your community's vigilance by starting a neighborhood watch program, which can help in the early detection and reporting of suspicious activities. This could involve organizing regular meetings with your neighbors, setting up a communication chain, and liaising with local law enforcement to keep your area safe.
- Educate yourself on the signs of domestic violence and how to support potential ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Affairs and Complex Relationships Between Key Figures Involved
The intricate and dysfunctional relationships between the key figures in this tangled scenario raise eyebrows and suspicions.
Rebecca's Mother Courtney Had an Affair With Her Fiance, Rich Faillor
Courtney, Rebecca's biological mother who did not raise her, had an affair with Rebecca's fiancé, Rich Faillor. Both Courtney and Rich Faillor, a former [restricted term] dealer, were having an affair despite Courtney being married to Bradley Bartholomew, a registered sex offender. Bradley cleaned the inside of his truck with bleach and water, and Courtney can't adopt a baby because of Bradley's sex offender status. Bradley thinks it’s Kim, Rebecca's half-sister, who is involved, rather than Courtney, even though Courtney and Rich were texting each other frequently. Bradley even suspects Rich wants to renew his relationship with Courtney.
Courtney Married Bradley Bartholomew, a Registered Sex Offender
Bradley Bartholomew's status as a registered sex offender has significant implications for Courtney. It not only impedes their ability to adopt a child but also feeds into the overall suspicions and jealousy within this convoluted web of relationships.
Rebecca's Half-Sister Kim Also Had an Affair With Rich
Kim, Rebecca's half-sister, also had an affair with Rebecca's fiancé, Rich. Bradley repeatedly cast suspicion on Kim, suggesting that she had a motive to want Rebecca out of the picture, which could be related to the affair with Rich. There was an infamous inheritance transfer over a lasagna dinner ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Affairs and Complex Relationships Between Key Figures Involved
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can analyze your personal relationships by creating a relationship map to identify patterns of behavior and potential conflicts. Draw a diagram with you at the center, connecting lines to the people in your life, and use different colors or symbols to mark the nature of each relationship (positive, negative, complicated). This visual tool can help you spot where tensions might arise and consider steps to improve or distance yourself from toxic dynamics.
- Develop a personal code of ethics to guide your interactions and decisions, especially in complex family or romantic situations. Write down your core values and principles that you want to uphold, such as honesty, loyalty, or respect. Refer to this code when faced with challenging situations to ensure your actions align with your values, which can help prevent getting entangled in situations similar to those described in the assertions.
- Practice ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Competing Narratives and Accusations by Suspects
The suspects in the murder case of Rebecca and the disappearance of her baby have turned against each other, offering conflicting accounts of the gruesome crime.
Courtney Says Bradley Killed Rebecca and She Cut Out the Baby to Save It
Courtney claims that Bradley killed Rebecca by stabbing her, and she then cut the baby out to save it, acting out of sympathy and a sense of familial duty. Courtney also recounts how she observed Bradley searching online about how to perform a c-section two months before the murder took place. After Rebecca's body was discovered, Courtney confronted Bradley, who she says admitted to slitting Rebecca's throat. According to Courtney, Bradley told her to falsely claim that their friend Kim was driving the SUV involved in the crime.
Bradley Accuses Courtney Of Stabbing and Killing Rebecca
Bradley's version of events contradicts Courtney's account. He suggests that it is highly likely Courtney could have attacked Rebecca and cut out the baby. Bradley points to Courtney's prior violent behavior, such as an incident where she attempted to stab him with scissors. During the police interrogation, Bradley alleges Courtney began stabbing Rebecca in the truck, then led her into the woods, killed her, and performed a c-section to remove the baby.
Kim Witnessed Courtney and Bradley Assault Rebecca, Resulting In Her Seizure, Then Dispose Of the Body
Kim claims she was present when Courtney and Bradley assaulted Rebecca, striking her on the head and causing her to have a seizure. She also indicates that the couple disposed of Rebecca's body with the help of a friend and planned to leave it in a swamp. However, Kim gives inconsistent stateme ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Competing Narratives and Accusations by Suspects
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Rebecca is the victim in the murder case central to the narrative. She was pregnant at the time of her death, which is why the baby’s fate is also a key issue. The suspects—Courtney, Bradley, and Kim—are all connected to Rebecca through personal relationships, though the exact nature (friends, family, partners) is not specified. Their interactions and conflicts revolve around the events leading to Rebecca’s death and the baby's disappearance.
- The baby is significant because it was still alive or potentially salvageable after Rebecca's death. Cutting the baby out refers to performing a post-mortem cesarean section to save the infant. This act is often done in emergencies when the mother dies or is near death. The motive behind this is to preserve the baby's life despite the mother's fatal injury.
- The murder of Rebecca and the disappearance of her baby occurred with conflicting accounts from suspects Courtney, Bradley, and Kim. Courtney claims Bradley killed Rebecca and she cut out the baby to save it, while Bradley accuses Courtney of the murder. Kim witnessed an assault on Rebecca, adding another layer of complexity to the timeline and events surrounding the tragic incident. The suspects' shifting narratives and accusations have created confusion, requiring a thorough investigation to uncover the truth.
- Courtney, Bradley, Kim, and Rich are all connected through their involvement in the events surrounding Rebecca's murder and her baby's disappearance. Courtney and Bradley appear to have a close relationship, possibly romantic or familial, given Courtney's claim of acting out of familial duty. Kim is a friend or acquaintance who witnessed parts of the incident and has given varying accounts. Rich is mentioned as someone initially blamed by Kim but his exact relationship to the others is unclear.
- Bradley searching online about performing a c-section suggests premeditation or planning related to delivering a baby surgically. A c-section is a medical procedure to deliver a baby through incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus. This search implies Bradley might have been preparing for an emergency or non-medical delivery scenario. It raises questions about his involvement and intentions before the crime.
- The SUV is a key piece of evidence linked to the crime scene or the suspects' movements. Courtney claims Bradley instructed her to falsely say Kim was driving the SUV to mislead investigators. This suggests the SUV may have been used to transport Rebecca or her body. Its involvement is central to establishing who was present and responsible during the crime.
- Suspects often change their stories to protect themselves or ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
The Police Investigation and Interrogation of the Suspects
In the complex investigation into Rebecca's murder and the kidnapping of her baby, police navigated through a web of lies, coercion, and contradictions to uncover the harrowing truth.
Police Interviewed Suspects, Uncovering Contradictions and Suspicious Behavior
The police conducted thorough interviews with the suspects, Bradley and Courtney, which revealed suspicious inconsistencies and maneuvers that implied guilt. During the police interrogation, both Courtney and Bradley confirmed they had removed the truck seats, claiming it was part of a long-term cleaning plan. However, this explanation became dubious in the light of Bradley’s confession and other evidence.
Courtney's attempt to establish an alibi through a coerced audio clip on Facebook further implicated her, while Bradley's reluctancy to reveal his whereabouts—which he later admitted, citing his status as a registered sex offender—raised alarm. Additionally, Bradley cleaned blood from the dash of Courtney's car after being asked, and he made vague insinuations about Courtney's involvement in something horrible.
Stephanie Soo and the police picked up on how Courtney's statements revealed knowledge only the perpetrator could possess. Contradictorily, her demand for immunity and witness protection, combined with her precise knowledge of the location where the murder weapon was disposed, only served to heighten suspicion regarding her involvement.
Courtney Requested Immunity For Information, Suggesting Her Involvement
Courtney's confidence in negotiating with the police for immunity and witness protection was out of the ordinary. Although she asserted never visiting the location where Becca's body was found, her claims were undercut by her intimate knowledge of the knife used in the crime and its location. Stephanie Soo postulates that Courtney and Bradley discussed burning seat covers in an overheard conversation, which aligns with attempts to destroy evidence. Her outright insistence that Bradley was solely responsible was met with skepticism due to the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Bradley Confessed: Courtney Killed Rebecca and Took Baby
The investigation took a decisive turn when Bradley began to unfold their narrative, despite his initial hesitancy to implicate Courtney fully. A key piece of evidence was Becca's blood found on th ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The Police Investigation and Interrogation of the Suspects
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can enhance your critical thinking skills by practicing analyzing conflicting statements from different sources, such as news articles or social media posts, to identify inconsistencies and potential truths. For example, read two articles on the same event from different news outlets and compare the facts presented, noting any discrepancies and considering what motives might be behind them.
- Improve your attention to detail by engaging in activities that require meticulous observation, like puzzle games or mystery novels, where you must piece together clues to solve a problem. This could involve playing detective games like "Clue" or "Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective" where you must track alibis, motives, and evidence to deduce the culprit.
- Develop your negotiation skills by role-p ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Mystery of Rebecca's Unborn Baby
The fate of Rebecca’s unborn child is a devastating element in the case against Courtney and Bradley, who are alleged to have killed Rebecca and removed her baby.
Courtney and Bradley Allegedly Killed Rebecca, Removed Her Baby, and Placed It In a Cooler
Courtney's testimony reveals chilling details about the handling of the baby's remains. She states that after performing CPR on the baby, she placed the remains in a blue cooler, sealed it inside a trash bag, and then disposed of it in a garbage bin. The remains were presumably left on the porch for the remainder of the night with the intent to dispose of the body before trash pickup.
Baby's Remains Not Recovered; Presumed Not Survived
As the authorities pursue the case, a critical and haunting detail has emerged: the baby's remains were not recovered. It is implied that the remains did not survive, as Courtney mentions that Bradley threw the baby in the trash, further deepening the tragedy of the situation.
Fate of Rebecca's Unborn Chil ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Mystery of Rebecca's Unborn Baby
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of legal definitions by researching the differences between charges like manslaughter, murder, and assault causing miscarriage or stillbirth. This might involve looking up your local jurisdiction's penal code online or reading legal analysis articles to comprehend the nuances and implications of each charge. For example, if you're intrigued by the debate over whether an unborn child's death should be considered a separate murder charge, you might compare how different countries or states classify and penalize such offenses.
- Enhance your empathy and support for those affected by similar tragedies by volunteering with organizations that assist victims of violent crimes. This could mean offering your time at a local shelter, helpline, or support group where you can provide a listening ear or help with day-to-day operations. By doing so, you'll gain a firsthand perspective on the challenges faced by individuals dealing with the aftermath of such events and contribute positively to their healing process.
- Foster informed d ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
