20/20: Cold Blooded Mystery in Alaska – Episode 5: "Jordan"

Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Chris Connelly (ABC News/20/20)

Episode Overview

This episode delves into the life of Jordan Joplin and his complex, ultimately tragic relationship with Dr. Eric Garcia—a respected Alaskan surgeon whose mysterious death became a riveting true crime case. Through interviews with family, former partners, and law enforcement, the episode traces Jordan’s early years, his search for attention and belonging, and his increasingly risky behavior that spiraled into theft, manipulation, and possible murder. The narrative intertwines true crime investigation with nuanced accounts of family dysfunction, secrets, and the vulnerabilities of both victim and alleged perpetrator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jordan Joplin’s Childhood & Personality

• Background: Raised in Forks, Washington, amid family instability and emotional neglect.
• Craving Attention:
  • Frequently acted out to attract notice, stating openly, “Oh yeah, nobody pays attention to me. And he’s right. He was right.” (Aunt Sandy, 04:48)
• Early Signs of Trouble:
  • Engaged in impulsive, risky behaviors; family noticed his tendency to be “rambunctious” and driven by an almost infectious energy.
    • “He would, instead of thinking about it, he would just do something and then go, oh, wow, that was fun.” (Aunt Sandy, 04:15)

Young Adulthood: Relationships & Criminality

• Romantic Life:
  • Had many girlfriends; often introduced them to his Aunt Sandy, but relationships were fleeting (05:33).
• Brushes with the Law:
  • Met Jessica Everton during community service (mandated after felony convictions for insurance fraud—he staged a car theft).
• Theft Incident:
  • Arrested for stealing GPS units from Walmart with Jessica; she ended their relationship after the incident, leading to Jordan’s controlling, threatening behaviors:
    • “If I can’t have you, nobody can.” (Jessica Everton, 09:28)
  • Stalking escalated to the point Jessica secured a restraining order, which ended the harassment (09:57).

Contrasting Relationships: Manipulator or Charmer?

• Others’ Experiences:
  • Former friend Crescenta Lawrence described Jordan as generous, supportive, and energetic: “He was an angel. I was just happy to be a piece of furniture in his life. He radiated such energy about him...” (Crescenta, 11:44)
• Attention-Seeking & Adult Industry:
  • Enjoyed the spotlight—aspired to be a stripper, then moved into adult films.
  • “He got that from dancing. But Jordan wanted to really, really make a name for himself.” (Crescenta, 12:32)
  • Performed under aliases in same-sex films; used the name “Logan Cruz” when calling police during welfare checks (13:28).

Turning Point: Loss & Relocation

• The death of Jordan’s mother in 2015 deeply affected him, destabilizing his emotional life further:
  • “Losing his mom, that was his only link to sanity... To this day, I don’t think he’s gotten over it.” (Aunt Sandy, 14:02)
• Afterward, Jordan began frequent trips to Ketchikan, Alaska to visit Dr. Garcia.
  • “Once he hit Alaska, I didn’t see much of him after that. Once he went up to Alaska, everything kind of changed.” (Aunt Sandy, 14:19)

Dr. Eric Garcia: Victim Profile and Secretive Life

• Background:
  • Esteemed surgeon, devoted son, seen as successful but isolated.
• Reserved Personal Life:
  • Dr. Garcia’s family suspected he harbored secrets regarding his romantic life. Brother Saul reflects:
    • “I never really challenged him or questioned him as to, you know, his preferences, but certainly it would have been something hard to discuss…” (Saul, 20:51)
• Attempt at Change:
  • A life-threatening surgery led Dr. Garcia to reevaluate his priorities, possibly leaving him more vulnerable to Jordan’s attention (21:37-22:02).

The Hidden Relationship

• Secrecy:
  • Dr. Garcia kept his relationship with Jordan hidden from family and friends, only revealed posthumously.
• Digital Trail:
  • Police found extensive evidence of the relationship in texts and photos on Jordan’s phone.
    • Flirtatious and loving exchanges:
      • “Jordan: You look hot. Eric: Just for you, my love.” (Text excerpt, 24:32)
      • “Jordan, you are more than the love of my life. Eric, you are everything to me.” (24:32)
• Manipulation & Fabrications:
  • Jordan lied about having cancer to elicit sympathy. No other evidence of illness existed (25:51).

Troubling Incidents Before the Death

• Disturbing Events:
  • Close friend Carlos recounts an incident where Dr. Garcia lost consciousness after drinking something prepared by Jordan. Garcia awoke naked upstairs, with injuries consistent with being dragged (27:45).
  • Found a note from Jordan: “If you are going to be suicidal, we cannot continue as a couple.” (Carlos, 28:17)
  • Carlos urged Garcia to call the police: “This is dangerous.” (28:47)
• Toxicity & Control:
  • Jordan staged scenes of overdose or distress to control or manipulate Dr. Garcia’s psychological state, suggested by photos of Garcia appearing immobile with loose pills nearby (29:29).

Police Theory and Unanswered Questions

• Investigation Conclusions:
  • Police came to believe Jordan methodically exploited and stole from Dr. Garcia during their relationship.
    • “Dr. Garcia, with all his amazing abilities, was a vulnerable man. He met a predator by the name of Jordan Joplin, who was able to convince this man to support him in every way. And he stole everything of value that Dr. Garcia had, including his life.” (Officer Devin Miller, 31:26)
• Lingering Mystery:
  • Cause of death: morphine overdose, but no direct proof the morphine came from Jordan. “Is where did the morphine come from? There was no direct evidence that put morphine, Dr. Garcia’s ultimate cause of death, in Jordan’s possession.” (32:08)
• After years with no new evidence, police finally uncover a lead when Jordan allegedly asks someone, “If I wanted to be able just to, like, off myself one day, like, how much do you think I would need?” (32:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jordan's Need for Attention:
  • “He would, instead of thinking about it, he would just do something and then go, oh, wow, that was fun. Let’s do it again.” (Aunt Sandy, 04:15)
• Jessica's Experience with Jordan's Stalking:
  • “If I can’t have you, nobody can.” (Jessica Everton, 09:28)
• On Jordan’s Charisma:
  • “He radiated such energy about him that anybody would want to be around him.” (Crescenta Lawrence, 11:44)
• About the Hidden Relationship:
  • “He never mentioned anything about any type of relationship or romantic involvement with anybody or anyone. He kept a lot of his personal life to himself. I… I didn’t know a lot about them until after his passing.” (Bob Jackson, 22:48)
• Carlos on the Dangerous Incident:
  • “That was the last thing he remembered… he was naked lying on the second floor of his house… his lower back injury was not from hiking. It was consistent with being dragged up a flight of stairs.” (Carlos, 27:45)
• Investigative Summary:
  • “He stole everything of value that Dr. Garcia had, including his life.” (Officer Devin Miller, 31:26)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jordan’s Childhood & Impulsiveness: 03:05 – 05:27
• Jessica Everton & Legal Troubles: 05:56 – 09:57
• Stalking and Restraining Order: 09:11 – 10:08
• Crescenta Lawrence and Adult Industry: 10:25 – 13:28
• Mother’s Death & Move to Alaska: 14:02 – 14:35
• Dr. Garcia's Life & Private Nature: 18:02 – 22:09
• Jordan and Dr. Garcia's Relationship: 24:32 – 25:51
• Carlos’ Story – The Dangerous Drink: 26:34 – 28:47
• Letters, Photos, and Overdose Manipulation: 29:29 – 31:26
• Police Theory and Open Questions: 31:26 – 32:37

Tone

The episode weaves empathy with investigative rigor—unpacking the layered personalities and vulnerabilities of both the victim and the suspected perpetrator. It is deeply personal, often tragic, and colored with moments of insight that humanize even the most troubling behaviors.

Summary

Episode 5, “Jordan,” offers a multidimensional portrait of Jordan Joplin—his charisma, craving for attention, criminal tendencies, and relationships—while also honoring the memory and complexity of Dr. Eric Garcia, whose secretive life and vulnerability exposed him to manipulation. With careful detail and direct testimony, the episode sets the stage for the next revelation: how did the morphine that killed Dr. Garcia come to be in his system, and can justice ever be truly served in a case so riddled with secrets and heartbreak?