A heavily pregnant woman who vanished just days from her due date has been found dead in a remote woodland in the United States, with her newborn baby now missing and the subject of a major police search.
Disappearance and Tragic Discovery
Rebecca Park, a 22-year-old who was 38 weeks pregnant, was last seen on the evening of 4 November leaving her mother's home in Boon Township, Michigan. Witnesses reported seeing her get into the passenger side of a dark-coloured vehicle. After this sighting, all contact ceased.
Her mobile phone was later discovered abandoned near her mother's property. Following a weeks-long search, the devastating news came when Rebecca's body was located nearly 50 miles away in the Manistee National Forest. A post-mortem examination confirmed her baby was not with her when she was found, prompting an urgent hunt for the infant.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigation
In connection with the case, two people have been arrested: Rebecca's fiancé, Richard Lee Falor, 43, and her 21-year-old sister, Kimberly Park. Neither has been charged directly in relation to Rebecca's death, which remains under investigation with a cause yet to be confirmed.
Falor, a convicted sex offender described as a habitual offender, was detained the same night Rebecca's body was discovered. He faces two drug-related charges and the possibility of life imprisonment. He is currently held on a $1,000,000 (approximately £755,944) cash bond, deemed a flight and community risk.
Following Rebecca's disappearance, Falor had spoken to media, recounting that she told her mother, "Hold on. I got somebody to pick me up. This is just something I got to do. I'm sorry," before a black sedan pulled up.
Kimberly Park faces charges of lying to a police officer during a violent crime investigation, evidence tampering, and filing a false felony report. She is being held on a $750,000 (roughly £566,958) cash bond.
Family's Heartbreak and Plea for Justice
Rebecca's adoptive mother, Stephanie Park, broke her family's public silence after the discovery. She explained they had remained quiet during the search to avoid jeopardising the investigation and in the hope Rebecca would be found alive.
"We have been silent because we do care. We wanted her found," she stated. "She was deeply loved. She had some mental illnesses and some troubles... She deserves to be remembered as the sweet girl that she was when she was younger."
The Wexford County Sheriff's Office, leading a multi-agency investigation involving the FBI and Michigan State Police, issued a statement acknowledging the public's demand for justice.
"We are working diligently to determine the condition and potential whereabouts of the baby," said Sheriff Trent Taylor, asking for public patience as they seek answers in this "tragic situation".
