Podcast Summary: Drop Dead Serious With Ashleigh Banfield

Episode: The Rebecca Park Horror Gets WORSE: New Details From The Night She Was Killed

Date: December 6, 2025
Host: Ashleigh Banfield
Guest: Stephanie Pratt (Host, Steph's Case Files)

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on shocking new developments in the murder case of 22-year-old Rebecca Park, a pregnant woman found dead and mutilated in a remote Michigan forest. Ashleigh Banfield dives deep into the gruesome details of the crime, the criminal histories of Rebecca’s mother and stepfather—who are now the accused—and the disturbing family dynamics and failures that may have contributed to this tragedy. Noted true crime podcaster Stephanie Pratt, who has closely investigated the case and interviewed its key figures, joins Ashleigh for inside commentary and expert insight.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crime Recap and New Details

• Rebecca Park, 22 and pregnant, went missing before being found murdered—her baby gone— in a remote Michigan forest.
• The accused: Rebecca’s own biological mother (Courtney Bartholomew) and her stepfather (Bradley Bartholomew), both of whom have extensive criminal backgrounds.
• The horror: Rebecca was stabbed and her unborn baby was cut from her body.
  Quote, Ashleigh Banfield [01:35]:

  “What happened to 22-year-old Rebecca park isn't just brutal, it is almost impossible to wrap your head around it...her own biological mother and her stepfather.”

2. Charges and Bail Updates

• Courtney and Bradley Bartholomew are now in custody, held without bond, facing charges including:
  • First-degree murder
  • Felony murder
  • Torture
  • Assault on a pregnant individual causing miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Conspiracy charges
  • Unlawful imprisonment
  • Removal of a dead body
• Rebecca’s fiancé and sister were also arrested—his for alleged drug delivery, hers for evidence tampering and lying to police. Their bail was reduced, and they are currently out of jail with conditions.
  Quote, Ashleigh Banfield [03:20]:

  “Rebecca's fiancé is now free to attend that vigil if he so chooses... the sister for allegedly lying to the police and evidence tampering, and the fiancé for allegedly delivering methods. But notice, no murder charges. Very interesting...”

3. Extensive Criminal Histories

• Bradley Bartholomew:
  • Criminal record goes back to 1997 (theft, forgery, ten arrests for driving with a suspended license)
  • 2011 conviction: criminal sexual conduct (third degree).
  • Multiple failures to register as a sex offender (2014, 2017, 2024)
• Courtney Bartholomew:
  • First documented offense: unlicensed dog (2003)
  • Progressed to financial fraud and repeated lying to police (2020, 2023)
• Both have accumulated a long list of mostly petty—though escalating—crimes.
  Quote, Ashleigh Banfield [05:29]:

  “Courtney, his lovely wife, first ran afoul of the law back in 2003 over an unlicensed dog...she was progressing. In 2020, Courtney was convicted on two counts of lying to a peace officer.”

4. Stephanie Pratt's Investigation and Interviews

• Stephanie Pratt interviewed Courtney Bartholomew in jail. Questioned direct involvement of Bradley on the night of Rebecca’s murder.

• Courtney hesitated for 12 seconds before answering "No" to whether Bradley was present; indicating potential deception. Quote, Stephanie Pratt [07:13]:

  “The actual time span that it took her to answer me on whether he was there or not was 12 seconds. And that was a very long and silent 12 seconds…”

• Pratt highlights the pattern of clear, documented lies by the Bartholomews.
  Quote, Stephanie Pratt [08:24]:

  “There are textbook 101 mistakes in this, from leaving a digital footprint of research beforehand to straight out lying to not just me, but several content creators about where and who was with her that night.”

• Notable moment: Courtney claimed to be deliberately using "reverse psychology" on amateur sleuths and podcasters.

5. The Victim of Bradley’s 2011 Sex Crime

• Pratt interviewed Bradley's 2011 victim, who described being assaulted on the same rural "two track" road tied to Rebecca’s case.
• That victim said Bradley later attempted contact with her 14-year-old daughter—potential new sex offender registry violations.
  Quote, Stephanie Pratt [10:24]:

  “She said that he took her down that very two track, the one straight down from Courtney's house that the phone was found on... now she has a 14 year old daughter of her own... and Brad in recent times has tried to contact her own daughter.”

6. Courtney’s Pattern with Sexual Offenders & Child Endangerment

• Pratt uncovered court findings that Courtney lost custody of children due to endangering them by exposing them repeatedly to sex offenders—including at least one besides Bradley.
• Major revelation: She once attempted suicide with her children in the car, specifically trying to drive off a bridge with Rebecca and another daughter.
  Quote, Stephanie Pratt [13:38]:

  “And one of the reasons why she lost those girls was because she tried to drive off a bridge with them in the car.”

7. Discussion of Competency and Morality of the Accused

• Both Ashleigh and Stephanie question whether the suspects' actions are calculated evil or sheer stupidity, noting “101-level” criminal mistakes. Quote, Ashleigh Banfield [09:44]:

  “Courtney seems to like to play Dum Dum Ju Jitsu and it doesn’t work well with someone like you…”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Reverse Psychology Confession [08:32]:
  Stephanie Pratt mentions Courtney told someone via Facebook that she was trying to use “reverse psychology” on true crime content creators.
• The Bridge Incident [13:38]:
  Stephanie Pratt: “She tried to drive off a bridge with them in the car.”
  This prior suicide attempt shocks Ashleigh and leads to speculation about mental health and family dysfunction.

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Key Segment | |-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:35 | Case Introduction & Crime Recap | | 03:20 | Bail Updates for Family Members | | 05:29 | Detailed Review of the Bartholomews’ Criminal Records | | 07:13 | Stephanie Pratt on Interviewing Courtney Bartholomew | | 10:24 | Stephanie Pratt on Interviewing Bradley’s 2011 Victim | | 12:06 | Discussion of Courtney’s Loss of Custody for Exposing Kids to Offenders| | 13:38 | Revelation: Courtney’s Attempted Suicide with Daughters in Car | | 14:25 | Ashleigh Wraps Up, Promises Future Coverage |

Tone and Style

• Ashleigh Banfield brings her signature irreverence and directness, delivering both facts and pointed commentary.
• Stephanie Pratt is straightforward, methodical, with a touch of dark humor—especially when describing the “dumb criminal” mistakes of the suspects.

Summary & Takeaway

This episode delivers a deeply unsettling look into a family tragedy marked by cycles of abuse, criminality, and institutional failure. The detailed criminal histories of the suspects, alongside first-person insights from investigative podcasters, build a portrait of dysfunction and tragedy. Most shocking of all are the ongoing revelations—from chilling interview hesitations to previously undisclosed child endangerment. The episode ends with a promise from Ashleigh Banfield to stay on the story, signaling that this case is far from over and will likely include many more disturbing developments.

Subscribe for Future Episodes and Updates on This Case.

Quote, Ashleigh Banfield [14:25]:

“Make sure that you're subscribed... because these are going to come fast and furious, trust me. And I will see you in the next episode. I'm Ashleigh Banfield... the truth isn't just serious, it's drop dead serious.”