Betrayal: Weekly – BONUS EP 2: Andrea Dunlop’s Story
Host: Andrea Gunning
Release Date: March 20, 2025
Introduction to Andrea Dunlop's Story
In this compelling bonus episode of Betrayal: Weekly, host Andrea Gunning delves into the personal and harrowing story of Andrea Dunlop and her sister Megan. This episode explores themes of trust, deception, and the devastating impact of betrayal within a family, shedding light on complex issues like Munchausen’s by proxy.
Childhood and Early Family Dynamics
Andrea begins by recounting her shared childhood with her sister Megan, highlighting their close bond despite differing personalities. Megan, the social butterfly, was always outgoing and connected effortlessly with others, while Andrea was more introverted.
- Megan Dunlop (03:09): “We had this very happy childhood. It feels like a real bygone era now.”
The sisters grew up in an affluent Seattle suburb, enjoying activities like sports, bike riding, and building forts, fostering a strong sibling code of loyalty and secrecy.
- Megan Dunlop (04:11): “Nobody's snitching to mom and dad... just like a sibling co-conspirator.”
Megan's Health Issues and Early Signs
As teenagers, Megan began experiencing unexplained physical ailments, including back and knee pain, and even sudden hair loss. These mysterious symptoms led to numerous doctor visits and surgeries that yielded no concrete diagnoses.
- Megan Dunlop (05:05): “There was an incident in high school where she was losing her hair all of a sudden. It was like a big deal.”
Andrea notes how Megan’s health issues were a source of constant concern, yet Megan maintained a brave and stoic demeanor.
College Years and Emerging Struggles
Megan pursued a nursing degree, seemingly finding her calling, while Andrea moved to New York City to chase her dreams of becoming a writer. However, Megan's behavior began to raise red flags as she became involved in questionable relationships and exhibited signs of deceit.
- Megan Dunlop (10:27): “I was pretty defensive of her with my mom and dad... didn’t want that to split up my sister and I.”
The Pregnancy and Familial Crisis
Megan's announcement of her pregnancy with twins introduced significant strife. The family detected inconsistencies in her stories, leading Andrea to suspect deceit. Megan’s boyfriend's sudden departure and conflicting accounts of the pregnancy deepened these suspicions.
- Megan Dunlop (11:47): “A lot of, like, girly secret keeping stuff...”
Discrepancies emerged when Megan provided conflicting explanations about her pregnancy and medical records, prompting the family to confront her.
Intervention and Accusations of Munchausen’s by Proxy
The family's mounting concerns culminated in suspicions of Munchausen’s by proxy, a form of abuse where a caregiver induces or fabricates medical conditions in those they care for, typically children.
- Andrea Dunlop (30:10): “Munchausen’s by proxy... they might make someone else sick...”
Despite presenting substantial evidence, including Megan’s history of deceit, the court ultimately ruled in Megan’s favor, dismissing the allegations as unfounded due to insufficient evidence.
- Andrea Dunlop (34:16): “They believed Megan had Munchausen’s.”
Estrangement and Continued Struggles
Following the court decision, Megan severed ties with her family, leading to years of silence. Andrea focused on her own mental health and career, while Megan continued to experience tragic losses, including the death of her children, which further strained family relations.
- Megan Dunlop (36:27): “I had to tell my parents... it’s so upsetting to learn about these things... I don't want to know anymore.”
Andrea’s Advocacy and Megan's Defense
Andrea pursued advocacy against medical child abuse, developing her own podcast, "Nobody Should Believe Me," to expose similar cases and support affected families. Megan, meanwhile, maintained her innocence, labeling Andrea’s allegations as defamatory and seeking to share her side through media channels.
- Megan Dunlop (50:23): “This is how I got here.”
- Andrea Dunlop (53:58): “Andrea wants her work to reach her niece and nephew.”
Publication and Legal Battles
Andrea co-authored a nonfiction book, "The Mother Next Door," with Detective Mike Weber, further detailing Megan’s case and advocating for awareness and support for victims of Munchausen’s by proxy. Megan responded with legal threats, claiming defamation and attempting to suppress Andrea’s work.
- Megan Dunlop (55:25): “This is the first time that I’d ever publicly talked about my sister.”
- Andrea Dunlop (57:44): “Next week, we're bringing you another bonus episode...”
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
Despite years of conflict and lack of legal resolution, Andrea remains steadfast in her mission to educate and protect vulnerable children by exposing patterns of medical abuse. Megan continues to live her life under public scrutiny, denying all accusations and maintaining her role as a devoted mother.
- Andrea Dunlop (54:24): “After two investigations into Megan yielded no convictions, the Dunlops are left only with their truth.”
- Megan Dunlop (57:44): “I have a really strong core belief that stories are the best way to learn and to move people on an issue.”
Conclusion: The Quest for Truth and Healing
Andrea Dunlop’s story is a heart-wrenching testament to the complexities of familial betrayal and the struggle for truth in the face of denial and deception. Through her podcast and written work, Andrea continues to seek justice and healing for her family, advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Megan Dunlop (04:11): “Nobody's snitching to mom and dad... just like a sibling co-conspirator.”
- Megan Dunlop (05:05): “There was an incident in high school where she was losing her hair all of a sudden. It was like a big deal.”
- Andrea Dunlop (30:10): “Munchausen’s by proxy... they might make someone else sick…”
- Megan Dunlop (50:23): “This is how I got here.”
- Andrea Dunlop (57:44): “Next week, we're bringing you another bonus episode...”
- Andrea Dunlop (54:24): “After two investigations into Megan yielded no convictions, the Dunlops are left only with their truth.”
Final Thoughts
This bonus episode of Betrayal: Weekly masterfully intertwines personal narrative with broader social issues, offering listeners an intimate look into Andrea Dunlop’s fight against familial betrayal and abuse. It serves as both a cautionary tale and a beacon of resilience, emphasizing the importance of trust, truth, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Produced by: Glass Podcasts in partnership with iHeart Podcasts
Executive Producers: Nancy Glass and Jennifer Faison
Written and Produced by: Monique Laborde and Ben Federman
Associate Producers: Kristen Melchiori and Kaitlyn Golden
Audio Editing and Mixing: Matt Delvec Yo
Additional Editing Support: Tanner Robbins
Theme Music: Oliver Baines
For more episodes, visit iHeartRadio or your preferred podcast platform.