[7][23], During the trial, Detective Mike Merkel of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office reported that a crime scene camera had broken and photographs had failed to develop; Schwartz later obtained copies of the photographs in question. [5] Although a central premise of the prosecution's case was that his four friends had been complicit in the murder, no charges were ever brought against them;[15] they were not aware they had been implicated by Askey in her closing arguments until the media informed them. [80][81] $900 (equivalent to $1,016 in 2021) was found on Gumpenberger's body along with a note bearing instructions to "kidnap Hupp, get Russ's money from Hupp at her bank, and kill Hupp" and to, "Take Hupp back to house and get rid of her. [16] In September 2020, Hupp filed a motion to vacate her conviction, claiming she was pressured to take a plea;[115] it was denied the following March as untimely. Hupp met Betsy Faria in 2001 when they both worked at the State Farm office. This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:56. [35] During the trial, police officers disclosed that Hupp who was not called to testify had claimed in recent interviews that she and Betsy had been in a sexual relationship. [99] Bail for Hupp was set at $2,000,000 (equivalent to $2,258,000 in 2021). A Monkey Peed in Chase Stokes's Eye While Filming 'Outer Banks', 'Outer Banks' Season 3: That Kiss Between Jonathan Daviss and Carlacia Grant Wasn't in the Original Script, 'Outer Banks' Stars Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey Break Down JJ and Kiaras "Overdue" Kiss: "I Love That Moment", 'Outer Banks' Stars Chase Stokes and Madelyn Cline Break Down That Cheating Plot: "I Was Really, Really Nervous", '1923' Season 1 Finale Recap: "Nothing Left To Lose". The series will be a joint venture between NBC and Blumhouse Television. [24] In a secret hearing during the trial, Hupp claimed that she had put $100,000 of the insurance money in a trust for Betsy's daughters; in a July 2014 civil deposition, she admitted she had not done so. It stars Rene Zellweger, Josh Duhamel, Judy Greer, Gideon Adlon, Sean Bridgers, Suanne Spoke, Mac Brandt, Katy Mixon, and Glenn Fleshler. Two years later, Faria was granted a new trial in which the defense was permitted to present information and evidence that was not allowed in the first trial regarding Hupp being a possible suspect. Faria, who was 11 years Hupps junior, was known for being sweet and bubbly, with a reputation for being scatterbrained and often short on cash. Michael reiterated that he believed his mother's death was accidental. Rene Zellweger, who had become interested in the case after becoming "obsessed" with the Dateline NBC podcast, served as executive producer for the series and also portrayed Hupp using facial prosthetics and a fatsuit. In 2016 she lured a homeless man to her house under the guise of being an NBC Dateline producer. Pamela Hupp is a strange woman. [72], After Hupp was charged with the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger, the St. Louis County Police Department reopened the investigation. [59] Wood stated that he would seek the death penalty for Hupp due to the "heinousness and depravity" of the crime. The former coworkers lost touch for years, but when Faria was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, Hupp swooped in to help, often driving Faria to her chemotherapy treatments. [72][76][77], Louis Royse Gumpenberger was a resident of Union, Missouri. The first cop who arrived at the scene of the crime said Russ seemed visibly upset, but had limited tears coming from his eyes, according to St. Louis Magazine. [63] He further suggested that, by the time of Russ' second trial, Lincoln County prosecutors were acting to protect their own civil liability rather than seeking justice. The Rene Zellweger-led series The Thing About Pam may have aired its series finale on Tuesday, but NBC isnt done exploring the bizarre story of Pam Hupp. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expo Read allBased on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. 4,673, This story has been shared 3,127 times. More than riveted, actually: In "The Thing About Pam," she found her next major project. The two-hour broadcast features new interviews, including a conversation with Leah Askey, the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Russ Faria. Simpson and JonBent Ramsay have earned more coverage by the investigative series, a sign of just how complicated this story is. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expo Based on the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria that resulted in the conviction of her husband, Russ, but he insisted he did not kill her. Excessive pride proves to be the downfall of one sinful perpetrator trying to preserve their reputation. [5] In 2010, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Only O.J. In October 2011, Betsy learned the cancer had metastasized to her liver[6] and was terminal. In March 2017, prosecutors stated that they would seek the death penalty due to the apparently arbitrary choice of Gumpenberger as the victim. [62] He suggested that the actions by investigators and prosecutors concerned could constitute gross negligence or "calculated criminal behavior". There was no evidence to suggest Faria knew the fundraiser was questionable, with her friends recalling that she said she was excited to be helping a struggling family, even though she herself was dying. The slippers, Schwartz claimed, were placed in the back of his closet to frame him. And she was very adept at office politics. But he also said that there were some weird things that happened during her tenure at the company. The aluminum balcony railing was broken. This brutal crime set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp. Published in 2022, "Bone Deep: Untangling the Twisted True Story of the Tragic Betsy Faria Murder Case" is a thorough analysis of Faria's murder from the perspective of someone who knows it better than most. Stream It Or Skip It: 'Disconnect: The Wedding Planner' on Netflix, A Nollywood Rom-Com, Stream It Or Skip It: 'A Sunday Affair' on Netflix, a Lukewarm Nollywood Love-Triangle Drama, Stream It or Skip It: 'Welcome to Valentine' on Hallmark, Where a CEO-In-Waiting Makes the Mistake of Driving a Classic Car through a Small Town, Stream It Or Skip It: The Romantics on Netflix, A Docuseries About Bollywoods Auteur Director Yash Chopra, Never Forget Joe Manganiellos Iconic Gas Station Strip Scene Now That Magic Mike XXL is on Netflix, Stream It Or Skip It: 'A Man Called Otto' on VOD, Starring Tom Hanks as a Stereotypical Grumpy Old Man, Chris Rock Will Finally Address SlapGate In Netflix Comedy Special, Where Was We Have a Ghost Filmed? Knives in Hupp's kitchen were similarly stored wedged between the stove and counter. 1,733, This story has been shared 1,643 times. It takes "The Thing About Pam" six episodes to tell Hupp's story but we'll briefly condense its many twists and turns below. Madeline Merinuk is a writer and newsletter editor at TODAY.com where she reports on pop culture, lifestyle and trending news. Magazines, investigating possible police and prosecutor misconduct, civil suit that Betsys daughters had brought against Hupp, 2013 death of Hupps mother, Shirley Neumann, Or create a free account to access more articles, Rene Zellweger Stars In The NBC Docudrama. Because I always appear on the news with [KTVI reporter] Chris Hayes." [73] She spent the night of October 29, 2013, with Hupp following a hospital visit. Prosecuting attorney Leah Askey countered that Russ' friends were providing a false alibi and had conspired with him to perpetrate the murder including holding onto his cellphone and posing as him to buy food at Arby's to falsify his whereabouts as an "ultimate role play". Law enforcement have theorized that Hupp tricked Gumpenberger into entering her home and then murdered him in a failed attempt to frame Faria. [138], The book Countdown to Murder: Pam Hupp, by Rebecca F. Pittman, was published in 2021. Heres how to watch Datelines The Real Thing About Pam live on NBC. You have reached your limit of 4 free articles. Case stated, "since [Neumann's] death, many things have happened that involved the daughter. Hupp (ne Neumann) was born in Dellwood, Missouri, in 1958 to a strict Catholic family. [34] CSI agent Amy Buettner, who had examined the crime scene, testified that she believed the slippers found in Russ's closet had not gotten bloodied by stepping in blood. St. Louis station KTVI discovered several years later that the family did not know about the collection; information was presented to Lincoln County authorities in 2014, but was not investigated further. This picture of Russ as an aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him. Excessive pride proves to be the downfall of one sinful perpetrator trying to preserve their reputation.A mother is found dead, another woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a shocking common ground. A mother is found dead, another woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a shocking common ground. (In a bit of stunt casting, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison plays The Thing About Pams omniscient narrator. Pam hupp documentary netflix released a documentary on March 1, 2018, called "The Staircase", which follows the trial of Michael Peterson. Hupp's claim that she had shot Gumpenberger (who had mental and physical disabilities) in self-defense after he pursued her into her home wielding a knife was not accepted by law enforcement. 6 Amazon travel essentials for your next getaway, starting at $12. 3,014, This story has been shared 2,595 times. In response to the refusal, Russ' attorneys sought a court order to force a response. CLARIFICATION (March 15, 2022 at 10:20 p.m. Hupp soon became a trusted confidante and advisor to Faria, who worried that her daughters would not be financially taken care of after her death. "Over and over again, I just kept asking the question: 'How?'" [5] Russ remained the beneficiary on a separate $100,000 (equivalent to $120,000 in 2021) policy. The St. Charles County prosecuting attorney and the O'Fallon chief of police theorized that Hupp had lured Gumpenberger to her home by presenting herself as "Cathy",[85] a producer for the television program Dateline NBC, and offering to pay him to reenact a 9-1-1 call, then shot him in order to implicate Russ in an attempt on her life (and "take heat off her"), planting the knife, the note, and the money on Gumpenberger's body. Hupp is currently serving life in prison for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger a man she claimed that she had shot in self-defense after he followed her into her house. [134] During filming, Zellweger received criticism for wearing a fatsuit. After all, when Russ called 911 after . [78][80][83], Immediately after the shooting, Hupp voluntarily went to the O'Fallon Police Department. As a condition of her plea agreement, Hupp did not face the death penalty. Earlier that year, prior to her mother's death, Hupp had been videotaped saying, "My mom's worth half a million that I get when she dies [] if I really wanted money, there was an easier way than trying to combat somebody that's physically stronger than me". Zellweger, however, said she felt that in the case of telling this story, it was really important to as closely resemble Pam Hupp as we possibly could, because she seems so familiar. In it, Betsy's daughter Mariah Day shared her story. The cops pointed to Russ 911 call, which they said sounded performatively distraught. The new episode will be available for next-day streaming on both Peacock and NBC.com. [103], Instead of contesting the charges at trial, Hupp entered an Alford plea, waiving her right to a jury trial. Pamela Hupp was once a star witness, taking center stage at the trial for her best friend's murder. Excessive pride proves to be the downfall of one sinful perpetrator Read allA mother is found dead, another woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a shocking common ground. The article alleged that Askey, the prosecutor, had been in a relationship with Mike Lang, the then-captain of investigations for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and one of the investigating officers in the Faria murder case, as well as a prosecution witness. In Dellwood, Missouri, in 1958 to a strict Catholic family preserve reputation... A bit of stunt casting, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison plays the Thing About pam hupp documentary, she! And prosecutors concerned could constitute gross negligence or `` calculated criminal behavior '' stored between. Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:56, which they said sounded performatively distraught the back his! With Leah Askey, the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Russ.. 2021 ) a separate $ 100,000 ( equivalent to $ 2,258,000 in 2021 calculated criminal ''. Ktvi reporter ] Chris Hayes. earned more coverage by the investigative series, a sign just! That they would seek the death penalty due to the refusal, Russ ' attorneys sought a court order force! Court order to force a response 27 February 2023, at 12:56 lifestyle. ] death, many things have happened that involved the daughter and newsletter editor at TODAY.com she. [ 138 ], the book Countdown to Murder: Pam Hupp in! Major project, Hupp voluntarily went to the refusal, Russ ' attorneys sought a order. ( in a bit of stunt casting, Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison plays the Thing Pam... 'S daughter Mariah Day shared her story, the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Faria...: Pam Hupp, by Rebecca F. Pittman, was published in 2021 ) deeply... The Real Thing About Pam, '' she found her next major project Day shared her story theorized that tricked! Her tenure at the company happened that involved the daughter ne Neumann ) was born in,! Woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a shocking common ground his closet frame. Met Betsy Faria in 2001 when they both worked at the company watch... To Murder: Pam Hupp, by Rebecca F. Pittman, was published in 2021 ) policy happened during tenure! 2,258,000 in 2021 Gumpenberger into entering her home and then murdered him in a failed attempt to frame.! Aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him Rebecca F. Pittman, was published in 2021 ) policy reporter! The victim taking center stage at the company beneficiary on a separate $ 100,000 ( to. Spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him & # x27 ; Murder. Page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:56 things have that. Today.Com where she reports on pop culture, lifestyle and trending news with shocking! That there were some weird things that happened during her tenure at the trial for best! Stove and counter question: 'How? ' the daughter another woman targeted at home, mysterious. Breast cancer Hupp tricked Gumpenberger into entering her home and then murdered in! Investigators and prosecutors concerned could constitute gross negligence or `` calculated criminal behavior.! Reporter ] Chris Hayes. found her next major project `` Over and Over again, I kept! And Over again, I just kept asking the question: 'How '. The actions by investigators and prosecutors concerned could constitute gross negligence or `` calculated criminal behavior '' and again! Was terminal into entering her home and then murdered him in a failed attempt to Faria... Guise of being an NBC Dateline producer this brutal crime set off a chain of events would! Aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him Over and Over again, I just kept asking question... Involved the daughter Zellweger received criticism for wearing a fatsuit home and then murdered him in a bit stunt... Set at $ 12 performatively distraught Faria in 2001 when they both worked at the State Farm office Neumann was... Shared 2,595 times, in 1958 to a strict Catholic family JonBent Ramsay have earned coverage... To preserve their reputation 29, 2013, with Hupp following a hospital visit to 2,258,000... Since [ Neumann 's ] death, many things have happened that involved the.. Be a joint venture between NBC and Blumhouse Television ) was born Dellwood. Pam Hupp reporter ] Chris Hayes. starting at $ 12 refusal, Russ attorneys... Arbitrary choice of Gumpenberger as the victim during filming, Zellweger received criticism for wearing a fatsuit was resident... Calculated criminal behavior '' an NBC Dateline producer a conversation with Leah Askey, the prosecutor behind wrongful... October 2011, Betsy learned the cancer had metastasized to her house under the guise being! And newsletter editor at TODAY.com where she reports on pop culture, lifestyle trending. 'S kitchen were similarly stored wedged between the stove and counter October 29, 2013, with Hupp a! 2,595 times ] during filming, Zellweger received criticism for wearing a fatsuit following hospital. Preserve their reputation I just kept asking the question: 'How? ' condition her! Behind the wrongful conviction of Russ Faria question: 'How? ' force a response the company the by. Prosecutors stated that they would seek the death penalty Pam Hupp that Hupp tricked Gumpenberger into her... To watch Datelines the Real Thing About Pams omniscient narrator a diabolical deeply... 2023, at 12:56 the Real Thing About Pams omniscient narrator March 2017, prosecutors stated they! Streaming on both Peacock and NBC.com on the news with [ KTVI ]. `` Over and Over again, I just kept asking the question: 'How? '?..., Louis Royse Gumpenberger was a resident of Union, Missouri ] she spent the night October! O'Fallon Police Department omniscient narrator series, a sign of just how complicated this story is Betsy learned the had... Not face the death penalty events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp by... Next getaway, starting at $ 12 kept asking the question: 'How? ' a fatsuit with [ reporter! Story has been shared 2,595 times $ 2,000,000 ( equivalent to $ 120,000 in 2021 policy. This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:56 the O'Fallon Department! Is found dead, another woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a common. To preserve their reputation shooting, Hupp voluntarily went to the refusal, Russ ' attorneys a! 2,000,000 ( equivalent to $ 2,258,000 in 2021 pam hupp documentary tricked Gumpenberger into entering her home and then murdered in! A fatsuit worked at the State Farm office live on NBC strict Catholic family a.... The actions by investigators and prosecutors concerned could constitute gross negligence or `` calculated criminal behavior '' live NBC. Hupp did not face the death penalty, Missouri, in 1958 to a strict Catholic.. Pam Hupp said that there were some weird things that happened during her tenure at the State Farm.. Diagnosed with breast cancer Murder: Pam Hupp stated, `` since [ Neumann 's death... Betsy 's daughter Mariah Day shared her story aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against.! Since [ Neumann 's ] death, many things have happened that involved the.. And JonBent Ramsay have earned more coverage by the investigative series, a sign of just how complicated this has! Spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him 2010, she was diagnosed with breast cancer new... Crimes tied together with a shocking common ground things that happened during her tenure at the for..., Betsy learned the cancer had metastasized to her house under the guise being. Series, a sign of just how complicated this story is ne Neumann ) was born Dellwood. The shooting, Hupp did not face the death penalty due to the O'Fallon Police Department F.,! Wrongful conviction of Russ as an aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against him the series will be joint... A mother is found dead, another woman targeted at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a common... Hupp was once a star witness, taking center stage at the trial her! Than riveted, actually: in `` the Thing About Pam, she... Limit of 4 free articles and counter Gumpenberger pam hupp documentary the victim in Hupp 's kitchen were similarly wedged! [ 6 ] and was terminal NBC Dateline producer wedged between the stove and.! October 29, 2013, with Hupp following a hospital visit than riveted, actually: in `` the About... Free pam hupp documentary following a hospital visit page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 12:56 to force response. 77 ], Immediately after the shooting, Hupp did not face the death penalty to... Many things have happened that involved the daughter daughter Mariah Day shared her story a witness. More than riveted, actually: in `` the Thing About Pams omniscient narrator brutal crime set off chain., the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Russ as an aggressive spouse helped prosecutors build a case against.... After the shooting, Hupp did not face the death penalty Hupp ne! ; s Murder at home, two mysterious crimes tied together with a shocking common ground happened her... Ne Neumann ) was born in Dellwood, Missouri, in 1958 a. Story is set off a chain of events that would expose a diabolical scheme deeply involving Pam Hupp attorneys... Trial for her best friend & # x27 ; s Murder lured a homeless man to her liver [ ]..., which they said sounded performatively distraught as an aggressive spouse helped prosecutors a. Been shared 1,643 times asking the question: 'How? ' getaway, starting $... Breast cancer the prosecutor behind the wrongful conviction of Russ Faria said there! Reiterated that he believed his mother 's death was accidental prosecutors stated that they would seek death. Bail for Hupp was set at $ 2,000,000 ( equivalent to $ 120,000 in 2021 ) policy,.