The Burn Pile Murder: The Death of Gary Farris

Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan

How does a 130 pound, 58-year-old woman, put her 6'3", 300 pound husband on a burn pile?

When law enforcement was called to a farm outside of Atlanta, they were told a body was found burned up in a burn pile. Taking a quick look around, the body is burned beyond recognition, but it is probably 58-year-old Gary Farris. He and his wife Melody live on the 10-acre farm. Gary Farris is a big man, 6 foot 3 inches tall, 300 pounds, it looks like he might have had a heart attack and fallen into the burn pile, dead. His body is burned to the bone and he is identified by dental records. But before this death can be written up as a natural death, a bullet is found lodged in one of his ribs! Joseph Scott Morgan will unpack what it's like to investigate a death that starts in a burn pile and Dave Mack will share how investigators put together a case that ends up with Gary Farris wife, Melody, convicted for his murder.

Transcript Highlights
00:00.47 Introduction - moving heavy weight

04:31.17 How to move 300 pounds of dead weight

09:45.12 What happens to a body when it is burned

14:06.78 Melody Farris burns body of husband

19:01.72 Can't get a height on a body that's been burned

25:52.49 Collecting body from burned area

30:37.21 How big is a bullet?

34:34.87 What was used to start fire?

39:29.36 Smell of Citronella at burn pit

42:02.85 Conclusion

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