Countdown to Murder: Pam Hupp

by Rebecca F. Pittman, Sonny Swinhart (Narrator)

The brutal murder of Betsy Faria on December 27, 2011 set off a maelstrom of events that resulted in an innocent man's imprisonment and another man's death. It would take a decade to unravel all the misdirection in the Faria murder case, the misconduct of the prosecution team, and the insidious mind of a murderer that St. Charles County Prosecutor Tim Lohmar called "the worst of the worst!" Betsy Faria was stabbed over 55 times. The murder scene was staged in an effort to frame the victim's husband Russell Faria. Through an investigative trial filled with perjury, tainted evidence, and misdirection, Russell was found guilty and spent three and a half years in prison before his tenacious lawyer won him a second chance. It was during that second trial that the shadows fell away and the real murderer was revealed. But before they could bring her to justice, several people would be stalked as potential victims, and one man would eventually lose his life in her effort to deflect suspicion from herself. Along the way, her mother mysteriously plunged from her third-floor balcony and died. Pam Hupp benefited from the insurance in both her mother's and Betsy Faria's deaths.

Ripped from the headlines, this incredible case has spawned multiple podcasts, including Dateline NBC's most-popular podcast to The Thing About Pam. It will air February 22, 2022 as an NBC mini-series starring Renee Zellweger as Pam Hupp. The story will also appear as a People Magazine Investigates documentary. At this printing, a preliminary hearing and death penalty murder trial are in the works against Ms. Hupp. At their conclusion, there will be a follow-up book in the Countdown to Pam Hupp series by Rebecca F. Pittman. Rumors of other victims are also being looked into at this time.

Exclusive interviews with family, police, media, and prosecutors are included. Ms. Pittman was also given access to the detectives and PAs involved in the two murder cases.

Female serial killers are rare, representing only five to seven percent of the population. Accused of three murders, and with rumors of possible other victims, Pam Hupp falls within that five to seven percent. She filled the dark hours will plots so nefarious and unbelievable that it boggles the mind. It is chilling to think of what other plans she was composing when she was finally apprehended. There is still much to unveil. It is a story that will continue to rank as one of the most diabolical in true crime history. The ripple effects of her actions have so far torn apart the lives of three victims and their families.

Pam Hupp is in prison for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger and is currently going to trial for the murder of Betsy Faria, where Prosecutor Mike Wood will be seeking the death penalty. A preliminary hearing is set for Spring of 2022, with the trial probably falling in early 2023.

Rebecca F. Pittman is a best-selling author in several genres, including her popular History and Haunting series. Her non-fiction books have uncovered new evidence in several cases, including that of the famous Borden murders of 1892, where Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her parents. She was also granted the rare privilege of writing about the Palace of Versailles paranormal activity along with its history. Her new Countdown to Murder series will include famous and true crime events.

Audible Audio

Published October 4, 2023

About the author

Rebecca Pittman grew up literally on a runway. Her mother was teaching fashion modeling before she was born.

Rebecca took to the catwalk at the age of 5 and was teaching modeling by the young age of 16. From there she began designing stage sets for fashion shows, upscale weddings and special events, along with pursuing her love of art and journalism.

She created Wonderland Productions and has been painting wall murals around the country for the past 33 years. In that time she published four books and has no intention of slowing down. Her first book, "How to Start a Faux Painting or Mural Business" went into a 2nd edition October, 2010. "Scrapbooking for Profit" was published in 2005.

Her journalistic interest took a sharp turn when she decided to write about the haunted location of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, including the personal history of its ghosts. After living only 45 minutes away from the historical site for 33 years, her love of its history and her experiences there with things unexplained and paranormal led to her to write the book, The History and Haunting of the Stanley Hotel, released in July, 2011.

Ms. Pittman is currently researching The Myrtles Plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana. The plantation is touted as the most-haunted home in America. That book will be followed by The History and Haunting of the Tower of London and the paranormal goings-on in Salem. She is also working on a children's adventure book and a screenplay about Edgar A. Poe.

Rebecca makes her home in Loveland, Colorado where she indulges her love of golf, boating, the arts and travel. She is the proud mother of 4 sons and their extended families.

"Show me a good mystery and I will want to solve it. It's the puzzle that fascinates me ... the clues, and the answers that tumble into place like a combination lock giving up its hold."