The Thing About Pam

Two days after Christmas, 2011, Russ Faria came home from game night to find his wife, Betsy, dead. He was soon charged and convicted of her murder. But Russ Faria insisted he did not kill his wife. Betsy’s brutal murder set off a chain of events that would leave one man dead, another man implicated, and expose a diabolical scheme. It would also see Dateline NBC—the true-crime original—become a part of the never-ending saga that proves the old adage: Truth is stranger than fiction. This original series from Keith Morrison and Dateline defies all expectations. Listen to all episodes of The Thing About Pam now completely free, or subscriber to Dateline Premium to listen ad-free: DatelinePremium.com

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Episodes

Introducing Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder

Hey Dateline fans! As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder an all-new original podcast series from NBC News Studios. Hosted by veteran journalist Andrew Goldman, Dead Certain: The Martha Moxley Murder, is sure to hook listeners, in the vein of Serial and Making a Murderer. Unfolding over 12 richly told episodes, the podcast will explore, in intimate detail, the twists and turns of this fascinating and confounding case as it hits its milestone 50th...

Nov 04, 2025•4 min

The Thing About “The Thing About Pam”

Keith Morrison talks with Renée Zellweger about how and why she made her scripted series. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 07, 2022•11 min

Return to Lincoln County

Pam Hupp is charged with the murder of Betsy Faria. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 28, 2021•12 min

6 - Anything Can Happen

Another thing about Pam… Watch the full Dateline NBC episode here. https://www.nbc.com/dateline/video/the-thing-about-pam/4034417 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 27, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 6

5 - I'm a Little Cold

Investigator Ryan Hilke immediately flags inconsistencies at Pam Hupp's crime scene, where she claims to have shot an intruder. Pam's bizarre demeanor during interrogation and her detailed, yet suspect, story about "Russ's money" raise red flags. The investigation uncovers Louis Gumpenberger's disabilities, forensic evidence disproving Pam's narrative, and a staged 911 call. Crucially, Pam's phone location data exposes her true movements, while other potential victims recount her elaborate "Dateline producer" scheme to lure them, culminating in her arrest and unsettling indifference.

Sep 26, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 5

4 - Say Hi to Cathy

The greeting seemed innocuous, but not for long. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 24, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 4

3 - Manna from Heaven

An unexpected call changed everything. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 23, 2019•23 min•Season 1Ep. 3

2 - A Matter of Trust

Following Betsy Faria's brutal murder, her husband Russ quickly became the prime suspect, with prosecutors presenting a case built on questionable interpretations of his 911 call and family testimonies. The defense, however, fiercely challenged the investigation's deficiencies and a judge's decision to exclude critical evidence pointing to an alternate suspect: Pam Hupp, who received a substantial life insurance payout just days before Betsy's death. This episode details the trial, the surprising verdict, and the immediate aftermath, including the discovery of Pam Hupp draining a trust fund meant for Betsy's daughters, leaving many questions about the true nature of trust and greed.

Sep 19, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 2

1 - They're Still Counting

The evidence pointed to a crime of passion. But was it? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 18, 2019•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Trailer: Introducing The Thing About Pam

Sep 06, 2019•3 min

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