Blood is Thicker: The Farris Wheel

Episode 1: "Big Daddy Is Missing"

Host: Peter Van Sant (CBS News)
Date: March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

“Big Daddy Is Missing” is the gripping premiere of the six-part podcast series "Blood is Thicker: The Farris Wheel" from CBS News, hosted by Peter Van Sant. The episode introduces the shocking murder of Gary Farris, a prominent commercial real estate attorney and devoted family man, whose charred remains are found on his family’s Georgia property. As the investigation begins, suspicion quickly falls within the family—unraveling secrets of money, infidelity, and deep dysfunction. This episode sets the stage for a true-crime saga that spins with the unpredictable energy of a Ferris wheel, exposing the dark undercurrents beneath a picture-perfect family facade.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Discovery of Gary Farris’ Disappearance and Remains

The last confirmed sighting of Gary Farris was July 3rd, 2018.
Gary’s son, Scott, becomes concerned after not seeing or hearing from his father for two days and starts searching the property. Suspicion of foul play is established early:
- Scott Ferris: "I got a feeling and I really hope I'm wrong, but I just. I expect foul play out of this." [00:02]
Gary’s car, cell phone, and crucially, his CPAP machine—necessary for his sleep apnea—were all left at home, escalating the family’s anxiety. [01:29–02:09]
The grisly discovery: Near a smoldering burn pile used for yard waste, Scott finds what he identifies as a human skull, triggering the 911 call.
- Scott Ferris: "I picked up one little piece. I turned it and realized it was a skull. I immediately just set it back down gently. I said, back up. I'm calling 911." [03:20]
- 911 Operator: "Cherokee county, number one, location of emergency. My father has come up missing and we just searched the properties of a small farm and I just found something..." [03:36]

2. Setting: The Farris Family and Homestead

Gary and Melody Farris, married since their teens, had built a prosperous and seemingly idyllic life on a 10-acre farm in Cherokee County, Georgia.
The Ferrises embodied southern tradition and family connections, but tensions simmered beneath the surface—especially around finances and personal betrayals.
- Melody Ferris: "It has been called the Ferris wheel and it was, but it was our Ferris wheel." [04:46]
- Peter Van Sant: "This Ferris wheel was powered by distrust over finances, jealousy and personal betrayal. It's a real life soap opera and now a murder." [04:51]
"Big Daddy" (Gary) was the emotional and financial axis for the entire family, supporting all children except the youngest daughter, Amanda. [09:31–10:49]

3. Family Relationships and Dynamics

The Farris children: Chris (oldest), Scott, Emily, and Amanda. All but Emily lived locally and were financially dependent to varying degrees.
- Detective Daniel Hayes: "It sounds like everybody was suckling on the teat for a farm phrase." [10:44]
Secrets, resentments, and questions of dependency began to surface as detectives probed the family about recent activities, finances, and personal histories.

4. The Days Leading to the Murder

July 3rd: Final sightings—Scott and Melody lunching near Gary at a local restaurant; Chris visiting Gary at the burn pile with his daughter. Gary was seen collecting and lighting debris.
Melody Ferris: "He started it, and then he went up to the very front entrance and was messing around up there. And it's Gary, don't leave that fire." [14:47]
- Melody’s last contact: a warning not to leave the fire burning; at the time, she was chasing loose horses on the property. [15:12, 15:29]
July 4th: Melody and Scott go to different lake outings; Gary declines to join, not seen when they return.
July 5th: The children and grandchildren ask about Gary, and the search turns urgent, culminating in the discovery at the burn pile.

5. The Investigation Begins

Detective Daniel Hayes describes arriving at the scene expecting a medical emergency, but quickly rules out accident:
- Detective Hayes: "This guy didn't have a heart attack or a heat stroke and fall into the fire...this guy's been in this fire burning for quite some time..." [20:02]
Initial searches show no signs of forced entry or struggle, although small traces of blood are discovered throughout the house and on the property—upstairs, downstairs, on the basement stairs, tractor, and an RTV (utility vehicle). [20:49–22:33]
A crucial piece of evidence: A bullet is found embedded in a rib bone among the remains, making homicide certain. [25:09]
- Detective Hayes: "They found a piece of ribs and it has a bullet in it. So the evidence is showing that your...the remains, if they are in fact your father's, has been shot..." [25:09]

6. Suspicious Details and Family Tensions

Unfamiliar gun: Scott recalls seeing a new .38 revolver in the basement drawer weeks before; the weapon is missing after Gary’s disappearance. [23:53]
Gary’s wallet location is suspicious—found by Melody in a place Gary would never leave it.
- Scott Ferris: "Where’d you get this? Well, it was in the car. It was underneath his cigarettes. He never leaves his wallet on any cigarettes in the car." [24:25]
Chris expresses frustration with the lack of urgency among family members and is puzzled why no one checked the burn pile earlier. [22:58–23:32]
Melody, in interviews, admits to worrying a family member might be responsible for Gary's murder. [26:16]

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps & Attribution)

Scott Ferris: "I got a feeling and I really hope I'm wrong, but I just. I expect foul play out of this." [00:02]
Melody Ferris: "It has been called the Ferris wheel and it was, but it was our Ferris wheel." [04:46]
Detective Daniel Hayes: "It sounds like everybody was suckling on the teet for a farm phrase." [10:44]
Detective Daniel Hayes: "This guy didn't have a heart attack or a heat stroke and fall into the fire...this guy's been in this fire burning for quite some time, in my opinion..." [20:02]
Scott Ferris: "I picked up one little piece. I turned it and realized it was a skull. I immediately just set it back down gently. I said, back up. I'm calling 911." [03:20]
Detective Daniel Hayes: "They found a piece of ribs and it has a bullet in it. So the evidence is showing that your...the remains, if they are in fact your father's, has been shot..." [25:09]
Melody Ferris: "This is a mother's worst nightmare." [05:03]
Narrator (Peter Van Sant): "A nightmare that would go on for years. And dragging them through a carnival of lies turning into a murder case the likes of which I have never before experienced." [05:06]

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:02–03:20 | Scott’s initial suspicions, search efforts, and grisly discovery| | 04:46–05:06 | Family dysfunction, “Ferris wheel” metaphor, Melody’s grief | | 06:23–10:49 | Family background, Gary & Melody’s history, financial entanglement| | 13:29–17:42 | Family’s last interactions with Gary, sequences before disappearance| | 18:14–20:32 | Detective Hayes’ view, investigation at the crime scene | | 20:49–22:33 | Blood evidence, bullet found, tractor and RTV anomalies | | 23:53–24:34 | Missing .38 revolver, wallet confusion, suspicious circumstances| | 25:09–26:16 | Discovery of bullet in remains, confirmation of homicide |

Episode Tone & Style

The narrative is delivered with the suspense, meticulous detail and sensitivity characteristic of Peter Van Sant and 48 Hours. The tone is investigative yet intimate, emphasizing family relationships, emotions, and the shocking intrusion of violence into a scene of apparent domestic tranquility.

Conclusion & Tease for Next Episode

The episode closes with the detectives and family acknowledging their chilling suspicion: the killer might be one of their own. The "Ferris wheel" of family accusations is just beginning to spin, promising more revelations in the episodes ahead.

Summary prepared for those seeking a comprehensive account of "Big Daddy Is Missing" without spoilers beyond Episode 1.