ALPHARETTA, GA – Gary Farris, a prominent Atlanta attorney known for his generosity and larger-than-life personality, was often compared to Santa Claus by his family. The 58-year-old lawyer was the kind of man who would always lend a helping hand, whether it was providing a loan or, more often, a gift to any family member in need. But in a tragic turn of events, Farris’ life ended far too soon, and his death has now become the subject of a chilling investigation that has left both his family and the community grappling with the possibility of a deeply personal betrayal.
Farris’ disappearance and subsequent discovery of his remains on the family’s sprawling 10-acre estate in Alpharetta, Georgia, in 2018 sent shockwaves through those closest to him. A new episode of Dateline, airing Friday, January 17, at 9/8c p.m. on NBC, sheds light on the details of the case. The episode, titled “A Little Patch of Perfect,” uncovers the complex relationships and dark secrets within the Farris family, raising the haunting question: Did someone in Gary’s own family kill him?
Gary Farris, affectionately known as “Big Daddy” to his loved ones, was a highly respected figure in the Atlanta legal community. He built a successful career as an attorney, known for his sharp mind and his ability to help anyone who asked. It wasn’t unusual for him to swipe his credit card to cover a family member’s expenses, whether for a small loan or something more significant. His generosity was so well-known that it became part of his legacy.
But despite the outward image of a perfect family man, the investigation into Gary’s death revealed a much darker reality. According to Ashley Pope, the sheriff’s detective who worked on the case, it became clear early on that Gary’s relationships with his family were complicated by money. “In some shape or form, Gary had close ties or disagreements with all the family members relating to money,” Pope told Dateline. This revelation points to the possibility that financial disputes, perhaps fueled by jealousy and greed, could have played a role in his death.
As investigators delved deeper into Gary’s family dynamics, they uncovered a web of conflicts, long-buried grievances, and unspoken resentments. Gary’s willingness to help his family financially had created a sense of entitlement among certain relatives, some of whom may have felt that they were owed more than they received. And as the investigation progressed, it became clear that the search for answers would lead to those who knew him best—and perhaps to those who stood to gain the most from his death.
The discovery of Gary’s body on the family estate raised even more questions about the nature of his disappearance. For days, his family had been concerned after he went missing, but the truth about what had happened to him was far more sinister than anyone could have imagined. His remains were found in a remote area of the property, sparking a homicide investigation that would ultimately expose the deep divides within the Farris family.
The airing of Dateline on January 17 will offer viewers a closer look at the twists and turns of this case, providing insight into the investigation that unraveled the secrets hidden beneath the surface of a family that appeared, from the outside, to be close-knit and loving. The show will explore the central question that continues to haunt those who knew Gary: Could someone in his own family have killed him, driven by jealousy, greed, or a sense of betrayal?
Gary Farris’ death has left an indelible mark on the Atlanta community, and the case continues to raise questions about the destructive power of family dynamics when money is involved. His legacy, once defined by his generosity and kindness, is now overshadowed by the mystery of his untimely death. As the investigation unfolds, the Farris family is left to come to terms with the possibility that one of their own may have played a role in ending Gary’s life. The Dateline episode promises to shed new light on this heartbreaking tragedy, which will no doubt continue to reverberate through the lives of those who knew Gary best.