Introducing Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska

Summary of Introducing Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska

by ABC News

30m•August 25, 2025
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Summary — Introducing Cold-Blooded: Mystery in Alaska (Episode 1 — "A Little Unusual")

Author/Host: ABC News (Host: Chris Connolly)
Length: Episode 1 of the podcast "Cold-Blooded: Mystery in Alaska" (2020)

Overview

This episode introduces the mysterious death of Dr. Eric Garcia, a beloved surgeon living in Ketchikan, Alaska. On March 27, 2017, local police found Dr. Garcia dead on a couch in his home after repeated welfare-check calls from an out‑of‑state caller, Jordan Joplin. The scene and surrounding circumstances were unusual, prompting an investigation that would stretch beyond Ketchikan and reveal layers of secrecy, isolation, and possible manipulation.

Key points & main takeaways

  • Dr. Eric Garcia

    • Well-liked, private general surgeon originally from Puerto Rico.
    • Lived in Ketchikan for nearly a decade; one of only two surgeons in town.
    • Last seen at work March 16; planned trip to Las Vegas; stopped responding to texts afterward.

  • Timeline & initial concern

    • An out-of-state caller (Jordan Joplin) repeatedly reported concern that Garcia hadn’t been heard from and said Garcia had contemplated suicide.
    • Police performed welfare checks after the caller and others expressed worry. Initial checks suggested Garcia might be out of town.

  • Discovery of the body (March 27, 2017)

    • Officers entered Garcia’s house and found him dead on a sectional sofa in a large upstairs room.
    • Scene details that stood out:
      • TV stuck on a blue screen; deck door propped open with a pillow; snow outside.
      • A barbecue on the deck with a partially burned charcoal briquette and an open package of bacon on the coffee table.
      • Charcoal stains on two fingertips and his thumb, transferred to his white T‑shirt.
      • A purple dribble stain from his right shoulder toward his mouth.
      • Rigor mortis present — he had been dead for at least a few hours.
    • No obvious gunshot or knife wounds observed initially.

  • People at the scene

    • Dawn Hink (co-worker and close friend) had repeatedly visited and grown concerned.
    • Jordan Joplin arrived from out of state and had access to keys and claimed to have permission.
    • A friend who arrived later told police about valuables (wine, gold, coins) stored in a locked storage under the stairs.

  • Investigation impression

    • Officer Devin Miller found the setup “a little unusual” — elements suggested multiple possible explanations (medical event, suicide, or foul play).
    • The circumstances prompted investigators to look beyond Ketchikan to untangle years of lies and manipulation and the role isolation may have played.

Notable quotes & insights

  • Officer Devin Miller: “I felt lonely for Dr. Garcia.”
  • From the episode narration: “They'd have to untangle a crime fueled by the fact that he was dead. By years of lies and manipulation. A crime propelled by the vulnerability of isolation.”
  • Description of Dr. Garcia’s character: “Beloved, well-connected, social, but also very proud. Very private.”

Topics discussed

  • The death scene and initial police response (body-camera detail).
  • Biography of Dr. Eric Garcia (background, career path, personality).
  • Ketchikan context: geography, tourism (cruise industry), isolation, economic history and its effect on community dynamics.
  • Community reaction: coworkers, friends, and family concerns.
  • Early investigative anomalies and questions (vehicle at airport, canceled hotel reservation, keys, open upstairs door, valuables in locked storage).

Action items & investigative recommendations (implied by episode)

For investigators or listeners wanting to understand next steps the podcast suggests were necessary:

  • Perform a full autopsy/toxicology to determine cause and time of death.
  • Forensic analysis of:
    • Charcoal on hands and clothing (to confirm source and timing).
    • Purple stain on shoulder (blood vs. other substance).
    • Fingerprints and DNA on items (grill, door, valuables).
  • Trace movements and motives:
    • Phone, text and travel records for Dr. Garcia and Jordan Joplin.
    • Airport/vehicle logs showing Dr. Garcia’s truck at the airport and keys in possession of others.
    • Hotel reservation cancellation in Las Vegas.
  • Interview key people thoroughly (Jordan Joplin, Dawn Hink, friends with knowledge of storage/valuables, coworkers, family).
  • Inspect and inventory the locked storage under the stairs and any other secured locations.
  • Cross-jurisdiction coordination if suspects/contacts are out of state.

Production & episode details

  • Host: Chris Connolly
  • Produced by: Camille Peterson, Shane McKeon, Kiara Powell
  • Edited by: Gianna Palmer; Supervising producer: Susie Liu
  • Music and mixing by Evan Viola; ABC Audio production (2020)

If you want, I can provide:

  • A concise timeline of events by date/time.
  • A list of people mentioned and their roles.
  • Potential forensic questions and evidence priority list that investigators would likely pursue.