WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. – Communities across Northern Michigan are coming together to support the loved ones of Rebecca Park, the 22-year-old pregnant mother found dead in Manistee National Forest last month.
Earlier this week, Park’s biological mother and stepfather, Cortney and Bradly Bartholomew, were charged with her murder. Both are facing a long list of charges, including first-degree murder and torture, and are accused of stabbing Park to death and removing her unborn baby.
The couple appeared in court virtually and were denied bond.
Park leaves behind two young sons, who are now being cared for by her adoptive parents. A GoFundMe started to support the care of her children has already raised more than $5,000.
“It means a lot to the family to know that there are people out there who support us and supported Rebecca in this horrible, horrible situation and that feel for her children because this is not going to be easy for any of the kids involved,” Rebecca’s adoptive mother Stephanie Park told NBC affiliate UpNorthLive.
A vigil will take place Saturday evening in Boon Township near where Rebecca’s body was found. In nearby Manton, Cedar Creek Café is planning a spaghetti dinner fundraiser to support the family. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, at Manton Consolidated Schools.
Restaurant owner Martha Snyder says Rebecca stopped by the restaurant with her fiancé shortly before her death.
Snyder says Rebecca was excited about the birth of her son, whom she planned to name Richie.
“We talked about her pregnancy, how far along she was, that she was due in November,” Snyder told Local 4.
Snyder says the news of Rebecca’s gruesome killing has shaken their quiet community to its core.
“It’s traumatic,” Snyder said. “I have never heard of anything so horrendous in my life. Most everyone I know has never heard of anything so evil and horrendous in their lives, so I think that in and of itself speaks volumes. It’s unconscionable, it’s unimaginable, and it is evil.”
Snyder said she feels fortunate to have met Rebecca through their chance encounter. She’s now using her business to raise as much as she can to support Rebecca’s family during such an unimaginable loss.
“It just seemed like the only thing to do, and it also seemed like the only way for people to be able to get together and support one another through it,” Snyder said.
You can donate to the family’s GoFundMe here.