Dateline NBC “Losing Faith” September 29 2023 Recap & Preview
Get ready for the gripping season premiere of Dateline NBC’s 32nd season, airing this Friday at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT. In a powerful two-hour special titled “Losing Faith,” correspondent Josh Mankiewicz delves into the tragic fatal shooting of Jamie Faith outside his Dallas home in 2020.
The special report unfolds the tragic story of Jamie Faith, whose life was abruptly taken in a fatal shooting. The incident shook the community and led to an investigation that uncovered a complex web of relationships and motivations.
In a Dateline exclusive, viewers will hear from Darrin Lopez, a retired Army Special Forces Medic who was convicted of the murder. Lopez opens up about his tumultuous relationship with Jennifer Faith, Jamie’s wife, which began when they were high school sweethearts. Decades later, their reconnection would lead to a sequence of events that ended in tragedy.
During the interview, Lopez candidly discusses the difficult decision he made to commit the fatal shooting. He shares that it felt as if he were on a military mission, driven by a deep-seated belief that he needed to protect Jennifer. This chilling revelation sheds light on the psychological turmoil he experienced.
In a powerful exchange, Josh Mankiewicz asks Lopez about the difficulty of pulling the trigger. Lopez admits that it was indeed challenging but describes being in a mindset akin to a military mission. He explains that, in his view, he had to do what was necessary to protect Jennifer.
“Losing Faith” features interviews with key figures in the case, including homicide detective Chris Walton, detective Eric Barnes, federal prosecutor Rick Calvert, reporter Cyrus Cezar (known as ‘Smash Da Topic’), Darrin’s attorney Juan Sanchez, friends, family members, and more. Their perspectives provide valuable insights into the complexities of this tragic event.
Leading up to the season premiere, Dateline’s correspondent Keith Morrison launched his latest podcast titled “Murder in Apartment 12.” The podcast explores the murder of an Arkansas beauty queen, offering listeners an in-depth look at another compelling case.
Don’t miss “Dateline’s Losing Faith” airing this Friday, September 29, at 9 pm ET/8 pm CT on NBC. Tune in for an emotional and thought-provoking journey through a case that will leave you questioning the boundaries of love, manipulation, and the human psyche.
What Happened to Jamie Faith, Jennifer Faith and Darrin Lopez?
On October 9, 2020, a seemingly routine morning walk in Dallas, Texas, with his wife, Jennifer, and their dog, Maggie, took a horrific turn for Jamie Faith. He was shot seven times by a masked assailant and pronounced dead at the scene.
In the months that followed, authorities uncovered a chilling murder plot orchestrated by none other than Jamie’s wife, Jennifer Faith. Shockingly, she had enlisted the help of her former high school lover, Darrin Lopez. Their rekindled connection, beginning in March 2020 during the pandemic, had escalated into an “emotional affair.”
After Jamie’s tragic death, Jennifer created a GoFundMe page to provide financial support for herself and her daughter. The page, organized by neighbor Jennifer Svelan, garnered a staggering $60,000 in donations from individuals across the community.
Investigations unveiled a disturbing twist in the story. Instead of using the GoFundMe funds for their intended purpose, Jennifer Faith lavished Darrin Lopez with gifts, including a large-screen Samsung QLED television and airline tickets. She withdrew $58,000 from the GoFundMe account, leaving a $6,500 unpaid funeral bill.
Jennifer Faith’s actions didn’t stop there. She also misused the GoFundMe donations to make purchases on her two credit cards, even granting Lopez access to them. Venmo transactions revealed that she sent him hundreds of dollars as well.
The revelation of Jennifer’s actions left her former neighbors and friends feeling deceived and betrayed. It was a painful realization that someone they cared about could commit such acts.
Darrin Lopez was arrested and charged with Jamie Faith’s murder. However, he pleaded not guilty, claiming manipulation as part of an elaborate plot.
GoFundMe has a policy against fraud, and they promptly offered full refunds to those who had donated to Jennifer Faith’s GoFundMe account upon learning of the situation.
