Pamela Hupp murder trials

Developing StoryLast updated APR 28
SUMMARY

Prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty in the 2011 Betsy Faria murder case against Pamela Hupp on April 28, 2026, in Lincoln County, Missouri. As of April 28, 2026: Hupp, who is serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger, has opted for a bench trial scheduled for January 31, 2028. Murder charges were refiled against Hupp on April 27, 2026, and a new judge, Alfred Rathert, was assigned to the case. A change of venue was granted on March 22, 2026, and both sides have until April 28, 2026, to propose a new county for jury selection.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Prosecutors have agreed to drop the death penalty in the 2011 Betsy Faria murder case against Pamela Hupp.

    Prosecutors have agreed to drop the death penalty in the 2011 Betsy Faria murder case against Pamela Hupp. Hupp, who is serving a life sentence for another murder, has opted for a bench trial scheduled for January 31, 2028. Recent proceedings also included a granted change of venue motion and the appointment of a new judge.

  2. Pamela Hupp has had murder charges refiled against her in the 2011 death of her friend, Betsy Faria.

    Pamela Hupp has had murder charges refiled against her in the 2011 death of her friend, Betsy Faria. A new judge, Alfred Rathert, has been assigned to the case. Hupp is currently serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger and faces the death penalty for Faria's murder.

  3. A judge granted a change of venue request for Pamela Hupp's murder trial on March 22, 2026, potentially delaying the proceedings until 2028.

    A judge granted a change of venue request for Pamela Hupp's murder trial on March 22, 2026, potentially delaying the proceedings until 2028. The prosecution missed a filing deadline for the request, leading to the judge's decision. Both sides have until April 28, 2026, to propose a new county for jury selection, and Hupp must attend all future hearings in person.

March 2026 — 6 developments

  1. A pretrial hearing on March 31, 2026, resulted in the approval of an outside jury pool and the assignment of a new judge for Pamela Hupp's case.

    A pretrial hearing on March 31, 2026, resulted in the approval of an outside jury pool and the assignment of a new judge for Pamela Hupp's case. The trial for Betsy Faria's 2011 murder remains scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Lincoln County, Missouri.

  2. Pamela Hupp's trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria may be postponed from August 2026 to 2028.

    Pamela Hupp's trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria may be postponed from August 2026 to 2028. A judge ruled that a jury will be selected from outside St. Charles County due to concerns about finding an unbiased jury locally. The defense also requested further testing of male DNA found at the crime scene.

  3. Pamela Hupp's defense team requested DNA evidence testing, including male DNA found at the crime scene and on the murder weapon, during a March 21, 2026 hearing.

    Pamela Hupp's defense team requested DNA evidence testing, including male DNA found at the crime scene and on the murder weapon, during a March 21, 2026 hearing. The defense also argued for Hupp's presence at pre-trial hearings and requested a transfer to a different jail facility due to reported poor conditions. These developments come as Hupp faces a death penalty trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria.

  4. Pamela Hupp appeared via video monitor for a recent hearing, with the judge expressing a desire to m…

    Pamela Hupp appeared via video monitor for a recent hearing, with the judge expressing a desire to move her to Lincoln County jail for proximity to future hearings and her death penalty trial. The trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria is scheduled from August 3rd to September 11th.

  5. On March 6, 2026, Pamela Hupp's scheduled court appearance via video monitor was delayed due to technical issues.

    On March 6, 2026, Pamela Hupp's scheduled court appearance via video monitor was delayed due to technical issues. The judge indicated Hupp should be present for future hearings and requested her transfer to Lincoln County jail. Hupp is currently serving a life sentence and faces a death penalty trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria.

  6. A status hearing in the Missouri v.

    A status hearing in the Missouri v. Pamela Hupp case is scheduled for March 6, 2026. Hupp is currently serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger and faces a first-degree murder charge for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria.

January 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp is nearing her murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria, with a judge setting a firm August 3rd date.

    Pamela Hupp is nearing her murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria, with a judge setting a firm August 3rd date. Prosecutors are renewing their push for the death penalty, and the case has been moved to St. Charles County. Hupp is currently serving a life sentence for another murder.

  2. Pamela Hupp's murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria has been given a firm trial date of August 3rd.

    Pamela Hupp's murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria has been given a firm trial date of August 3rd. A judge confirmed this date during a recent hearing, emphasizing that it will stand despite previous delays.

July 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp is scheduled to stand trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria in August 2026, with jury selection beginning in July 2026.

    Pamela Hupp is scheduled to stand trial for the 2011 murder of Betsy Faria in August 2026, with jury selection beginning in July 2026. Prosecutors believe Hupp killed Faria to frame her husband, Russ, who was later exonerated after serving prison time. Approximately 1,500 potential jurors are expected to be called.

September 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp's public defender argued for DNA evidence in the Betsy Faria murder case during a September 5, 2024 hearing.

    Pamela Hupp's public defender argued for DNA evidence in the Betsy Faria murder case during a September 5, 2024 hearing. The defense claims unknown male DNA found at the scene negates Hupp's guilt, while prosecutors allege she staged the crime scene. Separately, Hupp's attorneys withdrew her motion for a speedy trial on September 27, 2021, potentially delaying her trial.

March 2024 — 1 developments

  1. New mugshots of Pamela Hupp were released on March 22, 2024, in anticipation of a hearing for her murder trial.

    New mugshots of Pamela Hupp were released on March 22, 2024, in anticipation of a hearing for her murder trial. Hupp is accused of the 2011 stabbing death of Betsy Faria and is currently serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of Louis Gumpenberger.

February 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Prosecutors file a motion to pursue the death penalty against Hupp in the Betsy Faria case, citing "depravity of mind.

    Prosecutors file a motion to pursue the death penalty against Hupp in the Betsy Faria case, citing "depravity of mind."

October 2023 — 2 developments

  1. Missouri prosecutors dropped and refiled murder charges against Pamela Hupp for the 2011 killing of Betsy Faria in October 2023.

    Missouri prosecutors dropped and refiled murder charges against Pamela Hupp for the 2011 killing of Betsy Faria in October 2023. The case was moved to a new venue to ease the burden on prosecutors, witnesses, and Faria's family. Hupp is accused of killing Faria for a $150,000 life insurance policy and staging the scene to implicate Faria's husband.

  2. The Lincoln County Prosecutor's Office refiles murder charges against Hupp, seeking a venue closer to St.

    The Lincoln County Prosecutor's Office refiles murder charges against Hupp, seeking a venue closer to St. Louis for logistical reasons. The trial is expected in summer 2025.

November 2022 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp's murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria has been moved to Greene County, Missouri.

    Pamela Hupp's murder trial for the 2011 death of Betsy Faria has been moved to Greene County, Missouri. The transfer aims to facilitate the selection of an impartial jury. Hupp could face the death penalty in connection with the case.

October 2022 — 1 developments

  1. The venue for Hupp's trial is moved to Greene County, Missouri, to ensure a fair jury pool due to extensive publicity.

    The venue for Hupp's trial is moved to Greene County, Missouri, to ensure a fair jury pool due to extensive publicity.

September 2021 — 1 developments

July 2021 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp is charged with the first-degree murder of Betsy Faria.

    Pamela Hupp is charged with the first-degree murder of Betsy Faria. Prosecutors announce they will seek the death penalty.

August 2019 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp is sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger.

    Pamela Hupp is sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Louis Gumpenberger.

June 2019 — 1 developments

  1. Pamela Hupp enters an Alford plea in the Louis Gumpenberger murder case, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her while maintaining her innocence.

    Pamela Hupp enters an Alford plea in the Louis Gumpenberger murder case, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict her while maintaining her innocence.

January 2017 — 1 developments

  1. An investigative report by Chris Hayes airs, exploring the Betsy Faria murder and the death of Hupp's mother, Shirley Neumann.

    An investigative report by Chris Hayes airs, exploring the Betsy Faria murder and the death of Hupp's mother, Shirley Neumann. This report includes an exclusive on-camera interview with Hupp.

August 2016 — 2 developments

  2. Pamela Hupp shoots and kills Louis Gumpenberger in her O'Fallon, Missouri home, claiming self-defense.

    Pamela Hupp shoots and kills Louis Gumpenberger in her O'Fallon, Missouri home, claiming self-defense. Police later theorize she lured Gumpenberger into her home and murdered him to frame Russ Faria and divert attention from herself.

January 2015 — 1 developments

  1. Russ Faria's conviction is overturned on appeal.

    Russ Faria's conviction is overturned on appeal. New evidence, including information that had been withheld from the original trial jury, is presented, some of which implicates Pamela Hupp. Russ Faria is later found not guilty in a second trial.

January 2013 — 1 developments

December 2011 — 1 developments

  1. Betsy Faria is found stabbed to death in her home in Troy, Missouri.

    Betsy Faria is found stabbed to death in her home in Troy, Missouri. Her husband, Russ Faria, discovers the body and calls 911. Initially, Russ Faria is convicted of the murder, partly based on testimony from Pamela Hupp, who was Betsy's friend and coworker.