Podcast Summary: 20/20 - "Cold Blooded: Receipts"

Episode Information:

• Title: Cold Blooded: Receipts
• Series: Cold Blooded Mystery in Alaska
• Host: Chris Connelly, ABC Audio
• Release Date: August 13, 2025

1. Introduction to the Mystery

"Cold Blooded: Receipts" delves into the perplexing case of Dr. Eric Garcia, a respected surgeon from Ketchikan, Alaska, whose sudden death and the disappearance of his valuable collections have left the tight-knit community baffled. The episode sets the stage for a gripping true crime investigation, highlighting the complexities faced by a small police department tackling a multifaceted mystery.

2. Discovery of Dr. Garcia's Death and Missing Valuables

The narrative begins with the tragic discovery of Dr. Garcia's body found on his couch, accompanied by signs of foul play. His prized possessions, including rare coins, luxury watches, and high-end liquors, totaling an estimated half a million dollars, have vanished without a trace.

• Officer Devin Miller [03:23]: "Valuables were gone, it really changes things immensely. It was a major theft."

The initial investigation reveals suspicious elements such as elevated carbon monoxide levels from a morphine overdose, a barbecue grill found near the body, and missing smoke detectors, suggesting an attempt to obscure evidence.

3. The Investigation Unfolds

Officer Devin Miller, who knew Dr. Garcia personally, takes the lead in unraveling the mystery. Alongside Sergeant Eric Mattson, the team explores Dr. Garcia's life beyond his surgical career, examining financial assets and personal relationships to identify potential suspects.

• Sergeant Eric Mattson [05:56]: "The house was not broken into. There was no forced entry. So the items were removed unsuspectingly, I would say by somebody that had a direct relation with Dr. Garcia."

4. Enter Jordan Joplin: A Questionable Ally

A pivotal figure emerges in the form of Jordan Joplin, initially introduced as a friend and masseur to Dr. Garcia. Jordan's unexplained access to Dr. Garcia's home and vehicle raises red flags among the investigators.

• Jordan Joplin [06:35]: "Nobody's heard from him yet."
• Dawn Hink [09:41]: "I had quite a few different notions in regards to Jordan. A few of them were just a little unsavory."

Dr. Garcia's close associates express concerns about Jordan's influence, particularly regarding unusual financial activities linked to Dr. Garcia's accounts.

5. Suspicious Behavior and Inconsistent Alibis

Jordan's behavior becomes increasingly erratic as the investigation progresses. His inability to provide a clear explanation for his power of attorney and discrepancies in his account of events during welfare checks deepen suspicions.

• Officer Devin Miller [15:55]: "Jordan was starting to act in an unusual way."
• Jordan Joplin [16:22]: "You said you have power of attorney? I have a paper that he gave me power of attorney. Attorney at the top. Okay. Can I ask you a question? Can you explain to me what a power of attorney is exactly? Because I have no idea."

Surveillance footage from Walmart contradicts Jordan's claims of visiting the store with Dr. Garcia, showing him alone loading heavy plastic bins into his truck.

6. Key Evidence: Shipping Receipts and Surveillance Footage

A breakthrough occurs when police discover shipping receipts linking Jordan to substantial cargo shipments just days before Dr. Garcia's valuables disappeared. The receipts indicate three shipping containers totaling approximately 4,400 pounds destined for Maple Valley, Washington.

• Sergeant Eric Mattson [22:26]: "We found a shipping receipt from Alaska Marine Lines. It's a local barge company that transports goods all through Alaska along the coast, down to the state of Washington."

Walmart's surveillance footage further implicates Jordan, capturing him alone at the store and handling significant amounts of storage bins without any presence of Dr. Garcia.

• Sergeant Eric Mattson [24:10]: "He was the only person that I saw exit and enter that truck. I did not see Dr. Garcia on the Walmart footage from that day."

7. Unraveling the Truth and Next Steps

The accumulation of evidence paints a picture of deceit and potential theft orchestrated by someone with intimate knowledge of Dr. Garcia's life. Jordan Joplin's lies about his whereabouts and involvement with Dr. Garcia suggest a deeper conspiracy, compelling the police to take decisive action.

• Chris Connelly [26:24]: "Jordan Joplin had told police he didn't know about Dr. Eric Garcia's vast collection of valuables. And yet here he was on camera loading £4,000 of something into containers just days before police discovered the valuables were missing."

As the episode concludes, police face the challenge of tracing the now-absent shipping containers and uncovering the full extent of the theft, setting the stage for a thrilling continuation in the next episode.

8. Conclusion

"Cold Blooded: Receipts" masterfully intertwines investigative journalism with compelling storytelling, offering listeners an in-depth look into the complexities of unraveling a high-stakes true crime case. Through meticulous examination of evidence and character dynamics, the episode builds suspense, leaving audiences eager for the resolution in the subsequent installment.

Notable Quotes:

• Officer Devin Miller [03:23]: "Valuables were gone, it really changes things immensely. It was a major theft."
• Sergeant Eric Mattson [05:56]: "The house was not broken into. There was no forced entry. So the items were removed unsuspectingly, I would say by somebody that had a direct relation with Dr. Garcia."
• Jordan Joplin [16:22]: "You said you have power of attorney? I have a paper that he gave me power of attorney. Attorney at the top. Okay. Can I ask you a question? Can you explain to me what a power of attorney is exactly? Because I have no idea."
• Sergeant Eric Mattson [22:26]: "We found a shipping receipt from Alaska Marine Lines. It's a local barge company that transports goods all through Alaska along the coast, down to the state of Washington."
• Chris Connelly [26:24]: "Jordan Joplin had told police he didn't know about Dr. Eric Garcia's vast collection of valuables. And yet here he was on camera loading £4,000 of something into containers just days before police discovered the valuables were missing."

Looking Ahead: The episode concludes by hinting at the forthcoming investigation's expansion beyond Alaska, promising a deeper dive into the network behind Dr. Garcia's stolen valuables. Listeners are left anticipating the next part of this riveting true crime saga.