Podcast Summary: 20/20 – "Cold Blooded: Lost and Found"

Episode Information:

• Title: 20/20
• Host/Author: ABC News
• Description: Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports, and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories. Listen throughout the week with the official 20/20 After Show, the True Crime Vault, and our spotlight of true crime originals.
• Episode: Cold Blooded: Lost and Found
• Release Date: August 6, 2025

Introduction

The episode, "Cold Blooded: Lost and Found," delves into the mysterious death of Dr. Eric Garcia in Ketchikan, Alaska. Hosted by Chris Connelly and produced by ABC Audio and 20/20, the narrative unfolds through interviews, personal accounts, and investigative insights, painting a comprehensive picture of Dr. Garcia's life, his untimely death, and the ensuing mystery that baffled local authorities.

Background on Dr. Eric Garcia

Dr. Eric Garcia was a dedicated surgeon who relocated to the remote town of Ketchikan, Alaska, from Puerto Rico and South Texas. He was recruited by the local hospital with an attractive salary package, intending to bring much-needed medical expertise to the community. Dr. Garcia's personal life was solitary; he was unmarried and immersed in his work, often traveling and indulging in luxurious hobbies to fill his extensive 3,000-square-foot home.

Key Details:

• Relocation: From Puerto Rico and South Texas to Ketchikan.
• Profession: Surgeon, one of only two working surgeons in town.
• Lifestyle: Unmarried, extensive collectibles, expensive hobbies.

Notable Quote:

“He knew what he wanted and what he wanted. There wasn't a lot of he wanted big and we have a lot of more moderate sized homes.”
— Jordan Joplin (00:55)

The Day of the Incident: March 27, 2017

On March 27, 2017, Dr. Garcia's body was discovered in his home. Present at the scene were key individuals:

• Dawn Hink: Dr. Garcia's friend and colleague, often referred to as his "work wife."
• Jordan Joplin: A friend from Washington state who had flown in for a welfare check.
• Bob Jackson: A longtime realtor who had recently helped Dr. Garcia purchase his new home.

Discovery:

• Location: Driveway outside Dr. Garcia's house.
• Circumstances: Dr. Garcia was found deceased on a couch in his home, surrounded by unusual items like an open package of bacon, a piece of partially burned charcoal, and a barbecue grill propped open in the doorway.

Notable Quote:

“A good realtor knows how to sell a place, but it's rare to hear a sell that sounds so much like a nature documentary.”
— Chris Connelly (02:11)

Initial Investigation and Theories

At first glance, the scene suggested a possible suicide. Evidence supporting this theory included:

• Pill Bottle: A prescription for diazepam (Valium) was found near Dr. Garcia's body, suggesting a potential overdose.
• Autopsy Findings: Initially, there was speculation about a possible heart attack, given Dr. Garcia's medical history.

Contradicting Evidence: Despite initial theories pointing towards suicide or a medical event, several peculiarities raised suspicions:

• Charcoal and Grill: The presence of a charcoal briquette and an open grill on a second-floor deck during the rainy, windy season of March in Alaska seemed out of place.
• Purple Residue: Dr. Garcia's shirt had mysterious purple stains alongside charcoal dust.
• Missing Smoke Detectors: Police sergeant Eric Mattson discovered that all smoke detectors in the house were missing, with only the wiring hanging from the ceilings.

Notable Quotes:

“He'd travel, sometimes taking his parents on lavish cruises. At home, he surrounded himself with beautiful objects.”
— Chris Connelly (05:21)

“If you started a charcoal briquette inside your house, I would wonder why. Maybe some smoke detectors didn't go off.”
— Eric Mattson (26:23)

Dr. Garcia’s Personal Life and Collecting Habits

Dr. Garcia was known for his extensive and valuable collections, which included:

• Watches: Approximately 20 high-end timepieces, each meticulously cataloged with their purchase prices.
• Coins: A vast coin collection, some weighing hundreds of pounds, which he treated as serious investments.
• Rare Liquor: Hundreds of bottles of rare and expensive liquors.
• Valuables: Including designer watches, expensive vases, and other high-value items.

Despite his wealth, Dr. Garcia was generous, often giving away valuable items to friends, family, and even strangers, which raised eyebrows among those close to him.

Notable Quotes:

“He had a kind of a nook under his stairs. We put some shelves in, and we put a Schlage deadbolt, a lock on it, so that no one could open it, but no one would know what was in there unless he told them.”
— Jordan Joplin (15:54)

“It just throws red flags, you know, it just, you can collect some unsavory people that way. And that, I think, was the scariest part for me.”
— Dawn Hink (15:37)

Discovery of Missing Valuables

Upon further investigation, it was revealed that over half a million dollars worth of items were missing from Dr. Garcia's residence. The removal of these valuables suggested that Dr. Garcia might have been either a victim of theft or possibly had arranged to give away his possessions.

Notable Quotes:

“We believe that more than a half a million dollars worth of items was stolen from Dr. Garcia's residence.”
— Chris Connelly (19:24)

“If it was a new coin that came out, he would order a set, so seven or eight of them. And then what he would do is he would keep one or two for himself. And then whenever he would meet somebody, he said, oh, you know, I got this one coin. So he would give them this coin.”
— Saul Garcia (13:44)

Breakthrough in the Investigation: Missing Smoke Detectors

The turning point in the investigation came when Dr. Garcia's brother, Saul Garcia, discovered the missing smoke detectors. While walking through a ravine, Saul noticed white specks that turned out to be the missing detectors, which had been scattered among the brush.

Key Findings:

• Retrieval of Detectives: Six missing smoke detectors were found.
• Forensic Matching: Serial numbers on the retrieved detectors matched those missing from Dr. Garcia's home.
• Implications: The removal of smoke detectors suggested an attempt to eliminate evidence of foul play, shifting the investigation from a possible accidental death or suicide to a case involving potential homicide.

Notable Quotes:

“There were a lot of question marks that surrounded the doctor's death. In this moment, I was asked to come in and to start to try to answer some of those questions.”
— Eric Mattson (23:04)

“So, you know, whether people believe in some type of divine intervention or just stray dumb luck, Saul certainly got it that day.”
— Chris Connelly (32:23)

Suspicions and Unveiling of a Secret Relationship

As the investigation deepened, the police uncovered an unexpected relationship that Dr. Garcia had maintained outside his known circle. This revelation added layers of complexity to the case, suggesting possible motives that were previously unexplored.

Notable Quotes:

“He was very secretive, he was intoxicating.”
— Dawn Hink (33:08)

“He was pretty proud of that stuff.”
— Jordan Joplin (15:54)

Conclusion

"Cold Blooded: Lost and Found" meticulously unravels the enigmatic case of Dr. Eric Garcia, highlighting the intricate details that transformed a presumed natural death into a perplexing mystery fraught with unanswered questions and hidden facets of Garcia's life. The discovery of the missing smoke detectors and the subsequent identification of a secret relationship were pivotal in steering the investigation toward uncovering the truth behind Dr. Garcia's death. As the episode concludes, listeners are left contemplating the layers of deception and the depths of human complexity that often lie beneath seemingly straightforward circumstances.

Notable Moments and Quotes

• Initial Welfare Check:

  “He was contemplating suicide. Nobody's heard from him. His parents? Yeah, ten days since then.”
  — Jordan Joplin (07:03)

• Realtor Friendship:

  “Our whole relationship was that way. I was always silly with him and I had fun with him and he seemed to appreciate it.”
  — Jordan Joplin (03:20)

• Valuable Collections:

  “If you look out off his balcony, you could see kind of for infinity. You'd be looking at Pinnock Island, Gravina island and out right out into the Pacific ocean.”
  — Jordan Joplin (05:04)

• Suspicious Scene Elements:

  “There were racks and racks that were empty.”
  — Eric Mattson (18:49)

• Saul Garcia's Discovery:

  “Sure enough, we found every smoke detector that was removed from that house and matched them all perfectly with what was missing.”
  — Eric Mattson (31:59)

Final Thoughts

"Cold Blooded: Lost and Found" offers a compelling exploration of a true crime mystery, blending personal testimonies with investigative reporting to shed light on the perplexing death of Dr. Eric Garcia. The episode underscores the importance of meticulous investigation and the often-hidden complexities within seemingly straightforward cases.