20/20 Podcast: Cold Blooded – A Gamble

Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Brad Mielke
Guest: Chris Connelly (Host, Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska)
Main Theme:
This episode takes listeners behind the scenes of "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska," ABC's true crime series exploring the murder of Dr. Eric Garcia in the isolated community of Ketchikan, Alaska. Reporter Brad Mielke interviews series host Chris Connelly, diving deep into the investigation, the role of place, the personalities involved, and the emotional impact on all those touched by the crime.

1. Introduction & Context

• Host Brad Mielke speaks with Chris Connelly about the making of "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska".
• Focus is on uncovering layers beneath the murder case, as well as key themes of isolation, trust, and community.

2. Setting the Scene: Ketchikan, Alaska

Insight: The unique landscape and atmosphere of Ketchikan play a pivotal role, almost as a character itself.

• Summer vs. Winter Dichotomy (02:00–03:22)

  • Ketchikan bustles with cruise ship visitors and light during summer, but transforms into a much more isolated, challenging environment in the winter.
  • The environment impacts both residents and the nature of the investigation.
  • Quote:

    "This is a tale of two cities, Ketchikan. This is what it's like April to October... When things get cold and dark, Ketchikan is a different place. It can be hard on people who aren’t used to what the weather can do to your spirit."
    — Chris Connelly (02:20)

• Influence on the Case (03:28–04:38)

  • Isolation and community dynamics made the crime and investigation distinctive.
  • Welfare checks on middle-aged men living alone are not unusual in Ketchikan, shaping how police approached the scene.

3. The Crime & Initial Investigation

Discussion:

• The murder of Dr. Garcia was shrouded in mystery, with various clues seemingly at odds.

• The local police took a methodical, step-by-step approach, refusing to jump to conclusions.

• Approach by Law Enforcement (06:04–07:23)

  • Investigators avoided premature theories, focusing on evidence.
  • The absence of valuables and possible suicide were considered, but not assumed.
  • Quote:

    "At every step, law enforcement and investigators did not take any leaps. They wanted to go very deliberately and not assume anything... See where the evidence leads you."
    — Chris Connelly (06:28)

4. Saul Garcia's Impact & Dr. Garcia's Background

Key Insight: Dr. Garcia’s brother, Saul, was deeply involved—his methodical approach, mirroring his brother’s temperament, led to a critical break.

• Smoke Detector Discovery (07:24–08:34)

  • Saul found discarded smoke detectors, providing vital evidence of tampering.
  • Memorable Moment:

    "One of the details... is that that discovery... happened on Jordan Joplin’s birthday. And so Saul Garcia... says he said to himself, 'happy birthday, Joplin.'"
    — Chris Connelly (08:28)

• Garcia Family Portrait (08:55–10:25)

  • The story of Dr. Garcia stabilizing his younger brother’s pelvis after an injury as a teen showcases his lifelong desire to help others.
  • Quote:

    "He just had, you know, he wanted to help people. And his connection with his grandmother… went on throughout his life."
    — Chris Connelly (10:06)

5. The Charisma of Jordan Joplin

Theme:

• Joplin, the man convicted, had striking physical charisma and was adept at making strong first impressions.

• Physical & Social Magnetism (10:58–11:34)

  • Worked in adult entertainment; leveraged charm and energy to ingratiate himself.
  • Quote:

    "He had an amazing body… he was, you know, proud of that body and knew how to use that body… But there was definitely this kind of innate charisma that he had."
    — Chris Connelly (11:07)

6. Police, Evidence, and the Emotional Weight

Key Points:

• The case weighed heavily on investigators, especially Eric Matson (now police chief), who kept a photo of Joplin smiling as a reminder of their duty to uncover the truth.

• Motivation from Evidence (15:55–17:17)

  • Surreal contrast between the smiling Joplin and footage of Dr. Garcia gasping for breath.
  • Quote:

    "There was great affection and appreciation between [the family and investigators]… the incredible contrast between the smiling Jordan Joplin and that nine second tape of Dr. Garcia gasping… is horrifying to contemplate."
    — Chris Connelly (16:54)

7. Moments Not in the Series

Unheard Details:

• The Key Ring Episode (17:45–18:50)
  • Witness Dawn Hink recognized Dr. Garcia’s personal keyring in Joplin’s possession—her heart "goes through the floor," knowing something was deeply wrong.
  • Quote:

    "She recognizes the key ring. It's a gift that she gave Dr. Garcia that she bought on her honeymoon… In that moment, she knows something terrible has happened."
    — Chris Connelly (18:38)

8. Trial and the Character of Joplin

Courtroom Dynamics:

• Joplin’s testimony was full of contradictions; he adapted his story moment by moment, revealing himself as unreliable and unstrategic.

• Mickey Rourke Movie Reference (19:15–20:33)

  • Using a movie analogy, Connelly describes Joplin as not a criminal mastermind, but a chameleon improvising clumsily.
  • Quote:

    "Jordan Joplin was no genius. Jordan Joplin was not a strategist… he was improvisatory… to deceive in that moment and then worry about the next moment after that."
    — Chris Connelly (19:45)

9. Motivations, Miscalculations, and the Role of Community

Key Reflection:

• Those close to Dr. Garcia speculate Joplin believed Garcia’s isolation meant no one would care or investigate.

• Why Kill the Golden Goose? (21:00–22:43)

  • Saul Garcia: "Why kill the man who is funding your lifestyle?"
  • The reality: Despite feelings of loneliness, Dr. Garcia was deeply cared for.

10. Saul Garcia's Victim Impact Statement

• Clip of Saul Garcia at Sentencing (22:53–23:29)

  • "Some of the things he gambled on were that there would be no investigation, that Eric was lonely and had no friends… I'm here today to seek justice for Eric and collect on all your failed gambles to ensure your unconscious wish of becoming imprisoned for life becomes a reality."

• Connelly’s Reflection:

  • The "gambling" metaphor was a powerful rebuke of Joplin’s misjudgment of the community’s support.

11. Lasting Impressions & Themes

Final Thoughts:

• The story’s enduring emotion comes from the relationship between an outsider (Garcia) and the community that came to love him.

• The Dichotomy of Alaskan Life (24:48–26:10)

  • Community vs. isolation; warmth vs. loneliness.
  • Emotional resonance remains for Connelly—wishing Dr. Garcia had confided in those who cared, underlining the importance of sharing struggles.

• Quote:

  "If there's a takeaway from it, it's like: you realize how many people care about you. And if you are going through something, disclose it. You'll get more love and acceptance than you might imagine."
  — Chris Connelly (26:04)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “This is a tale of two cities, Ketchikan…” — Chris Connelly (02:20)
• “At every step, law enforcement and investigators did not take any leaps...” — Chris Connelly (06:28)
• “He just had, you know, he wanted to help people.” — Chris Connelly (10:06)
• “He had an amazing body… there was definitely this kind of innate charisma that he had.” — Chris Connelly (11:07)
• “In that moment, she knows something terrible has happened.” — Chris Connelly (18:38)
• “Jordan Joplin was no genius… he was improvisatory.” — Chris Connelly (19:45)
• “Why kill the golden goose?... Who’s given you all this money and goods? Why take this guy out?” — Saul Garcia paraphrased by Chris Connelly (21:07)
• “If you are going through something, disclose it. You’ll get more love and acceptance than you might imagine.” — Chris Connelly (26:04)

Episode Takeaways

• The landscape and seasons of Ketchikan profoundly shape community relationships and the investigation, underscoring isolation vs. belonging.
• Dr. Garcia was cherished by his community despite apparent isolation; his brother and friends played key roles in ensuring justice.
• Jordan Joplin, despite his charisma, was ultimately brought down by his opportunism, lack of forethought, and misjudgment of those around Dr. Garcia.
• The story is as much about love and loneliness as it is about crime and deception.
• Connelly concludes with an appeal to openness and connection, turning the tragedy into a call for community support.

This summary provides a rich, clear overview of the episode's content for listeners and true crime aficionados, preserving the storytelling and emotional nuances at the heart of this mystery.