Going West: True Crime | Episode 562 – Rebecca Park: The Whole Story (Happening Now)
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman
Air Date: December 11, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode delivers a major update on the shocking disappearance and murder of 22-year-old Rebecca Park, a case first covered in depth on episode 560. With new affidavits released, Daphne and Heath break down the disturbing details that have come to light: a tangled web of family betrayal, shifting blame, and horrifying revelations about what happened to Rebecca and her unborn child. The hosts sort through the convoluted statements by suspects and provide listeners with the closest thing yet to the “whole story” behind this tragic crime.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Recap of the Case and New Developments
Timestamp: [02:58]
- Rebecca Park, 38 weeks pregnant, vanished on November 3, 2025.
- Last seen by her fiancé Richard Fowler, sister Kimberly Park, mother Courtney Bartholomew, and stepfather Brad Bartholomew, who all claimed she left with a stranger in a dark sedan.
- Tensions within the family escalated, leading to public accusations and subsequent arrests for drugs and evidence tampering.
- Two affidavits were recently released, revealing far more detail than previously known.
2. Initial Family Narratives and Contradictions
Timestamp: [06:03]
- Kimberly Park initially told police she found Rebecca’s phone by a trail, though suspicion arises that the family held onto it deliberately.
- Kimberly publicly accused her mother Courtney and Brad of harming Rebecca, then relayed similar claims to police.
- During police interviews, Kimberly admitted to a romantic relationship with Richard, Rebecca's fiancé, which she said overlapped with his relationship to Rebecca—adding a jealous, potentially motive-laden dynamic.
Quote [08:03]:
Daphne: “Richard Fowler is a pedophile and a rapist and a predator.”
3. Revelations from Affidavits: The “Whole Story” Emerges
Timestamp: [11:11] – [13:16]
- Kimberly told police Richard confessed to killing Rebecca and enlisting help to remove the baby. A new figure, Austin Nowland, was named as an accomplice, though he alibied out.
- Kimberly described being coached by Richard to mislead the investigation and to accuse Courtney and Brad—a strategy echoed in her shifting stories to both police and on social media.
- Both Richard and Kimberly’s initial charges were swiftly reduced, but their release was temporary as more details emerged.
4. The Complicated and Disturbing Family Web
Timestamp: [15:32] – [40:18]
- All family members implicated each other, often changing their stories during different police interviews.
- Multiple claims surfaced of overlapping romantic and/or sexual relationships: Richard with both sisters, Austin with both sisters, and even between Richard and Courtney.
- Courtney’s affidavit revealed her claims of pregnancy and a miscarriage allegedly caused by Richard, further muddling timelines and motives.
Quote [31:21]:
Daphne (paraphrasing the affidavit): “Courtney reports she was planning to divorce Bradley. Courtney then became pregnant and was unsure who the father might be: Bradley or Richard.”
Quote [32:57]:
Daphne: “We can’t put any of this past Rich, because Rich, as we said, is a rapist… He’s a monster.”
5. Forensic Findings and Autopsy
Timestamp: [35:00]
- Rebecca’s body, found November 25, was mutilated with multiple stab wounds and a large abdominal incision. Her baby was absent, with telltale wounds suggesting a fetal abduction.
- Odd forensic note: her stomach contained a blue-green, chalky residue, raising questions about possible poisoning or sedation.
Quote [36:47]:
Teeth: “Did they try to, like, subdue her by poisoning her or sedating her with something?... That’s pretty weird.”
6. Disposal of Evidence and Attempts to Frame Others
Timestamp: [45:18] – [59:02]
- Courtney tried to barter with police, offering details in exchange for prosecutorial immunity.
- She claimed the baby’s body was put in a work cooler and then discarded in a random residential trash can to avoid detection.
- Courtney and Brad’s stories both implicated each other and changed repeatedly: each claimed the other committed the murder and removed the baby.
- Both agreed on details about moving and disposing of bodies, but specifics differed wildly.
- Both claimed the crime scene was manipulated to frame Kimberly, using planted items (credit card, razor knife) at the location.
Quote [43:55]:
Daphne: “She knows investigators are getting close. She knows she can’t hide. She knows that she’s busted. So she’s going to try to keep pointing that finger.”
Quote [46:41]:
Teeth: “Oh my God, that’s so disturbing.” (re: Courtney’s claim of keeping scalpels to “drain cellulite”)
7. Courtney’s Chilling Confessions & Motive Speculations
Timestamp: [51:22] – [58:56]
- Courtney cycled through minimizing her role (claiming to try and save the baby) to apparent confessions of cutting Rebecca open herself.
- Both Courtney and Brad indicated possible premeditation—Courtney was found to have dental floss to tie the umbilical cord, and Brad admitted Courtney had been obsessed with having another baby.
- Motives discussed include: jealousy, a desire to replace Courtney’s lost child, revenge between partners, and deep-seated family dysfunction.
Quote [58:35]:
Daphne: “Not a fucking chance.” (Dismissing Courtney’s claim that Rebecca wanted her to cut the baby out.)
8. Open Questions & Lingering Uncertainty
Timestamp: [61:30] – [62:00]
- Despite new affidavits, details remain murky due to the suspects’ continual deception, shifting blame, and self-serving stories.
- Richard’s full role and possible involvement remain uncertain; he invoked his right to counsel and did not cooperate.
- Both Courtney and Brad incriminate each other but also agree on the presence of both at the crime, ensuring at least partial mutual culpability.
Quote [62:45]:
Teeth: “It’s really just confusing because they’re all liars.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
[08:03] Daphne (calling Richard Fowler):
“Richard Fowler is a pedophile and a rapist and a predator.” -
[13:16] Teeth:
“At this point, it really seems like Richard is trying to coach Kimberly through this investigation.” -
[35:00] Daphne (autopsy findings):
“Rebecca Park's abdomen had incised wounds. The placenta was hanging from the open abdominal wound with attached umbilical cord, and the fetus was absent.” -
[43:55] Daphne (Courtney seeking immunity):
“She knows that she’s busted. So she’s going to try to keep pointing that finger.” -
[58:35] Daphne (on Courtney’s statements):
“Not a fucking chance.” -
[62:45] Teeth:
“It’s really just confusing because they’re all liars.”
Timeline Timestamps
- [02:58] Recap & arrest background
- [06:03] Details on finding Rebecca’s phone
- [08:03] Revelation of Richard’s predatory behavior and relationships
- [11:11] Kimberly’s confession and additional suspects
- [13:16] Coaching to mislead the investigation
- [31:21] Courtney and Richard’s disturbing history
- [35:00] Autopsy findings and blood/disposal details
- [45:18] Body and evidence disposal narratives
- [51:22] Mutually incriminating stories
- [58:35] Courtney’s shifting confessions
- [61:30] Open questions and ongoing uncertainty
- [62:45] Hosts’ candid summary of confusion
Tone & Style
The hosts maintain a candid, at times blunt, and emotionally charged tone, expressing both disgust and disbelief at the actions revealed in court documents. They emphasize the convoluted and dysfunctional nature of the relationships involved, continually highlighting the shifting, self-serving stories of every suspect.
Conclusion
Daphne and Heath close by acknowledging the sheer confusion and duplicity from every angle in this case, stressing that despite the profusion of “whole stories,” the truth is shrouded in the lies of those involved. They promise to keep listeners updated as the legal process moves forward, leaving no doubt about the disturbing depths this family tragedy continues to reveal.