20/20: Cold Blooded Mystery in Alaska

Episode: "You'll Probably Kill Me"

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

Episode Overview

This gripping episode of "Cold Blooded Mystery in Alaska" delves deeper into the investigation of Dr. Eric Garcia’s mysterious death and the web of deceit spun by Jordan Joplin. The episode follows police efforts to intercept a massive shipment linked to Joplin, expose his duplicity, and unravel the complex personal relationships at the heart of the case. Listeners gain a behind-the-scenes look as investigators race against time, piece together evidence of Joplin’s theft, and confront ambiguous clues about Garcia’s tragic end.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Intercepting the “Bombshell” Shipment

[00:52 - 11:40]

• Shipping Details Emerge:

  • In 2017, shipping manager Craig Beyer receives persistent calls from Jordan Joplin, who urgently wants three heavy shipping containers from Ketchikan sent to his home in Washington.
  • Ketchikan police contact Beyer, revealing suspicions that Joplin stole valuables (valued at up to $500,000) from Dr. Garcia, whose body had just been discovered.

• Investigative Response:

  • Investigators, worried the shipment will reach Joplin, rush to Seattle to secure a warrant and search the containers as soon as they hit the docks.

• Surprise Inside the Containers:

  • Officers are floored by the contents, which include:
    • Gold nuggets, silver coins
    • Dr. Garcia’s passports, checkbooks, computers
    • Dozens of boxes of alcohol (911 bottles, valued at ~$330,000)
    • Luxury watches (~$50,000 appraisal)
    • Random items: vitamins, energy drinks, clothing, valuable memorabilia
    • Power box to Dr. Garcia’s alarm system—a clue pointing to premeditated theft.

• Memorable Description:

  • Officer Miller: “It was like there was a free-for-all through a grocery store or something where somebody just emptied off the shelves and just packed it up.” [09:34]

• Evidence Overwhelms:

  • Officers take six days to inventory 67 boxes from the containers, realizing Joplin nearly cleaned out Garcia’s entire life.

2. Sting Operation: Luring Jordan Joplin to Arrest

[11:40 - 15:31]

• Police Plan:

  • Investigators use Joplin’s obsession with his shipment to their advantage.
  • Shipping manager Craig Beyer (Tacoma) calls Joplin, claims a paperwork issue requires his presence in Seattle.

• The Arrest:

  • Joplin arrives as planned; officers approach and place him under arrest for theft.
  • Seize his cell phone and $1,500 in cash.
  • Joplin tries to feign illness and delay, to little effect.

• Quote:

  • Officer Miller: “The moment he was placed in restraints, he started complaining ... and then during the transport, he pretended to pass out. And it was just kind of dramatic for him.” [14:59]

3. Inside Joplin’s Double Life: The Search at Home

[19:38 - 32:49]

• Kristen Coles Nelson’s Shock:

  • Joplin’s fiancée, Kristen, is surprised by police raiding their Maple Valley home.
  • She describes Joplin as charismatic, ambitious, and supported his marijuana growing (then marginally legal).

• Joplin’s Many Faces:

  • Made money growing marijuana, worked as a massage therapist and a stripper for bachelorette parties.
  • Kristen says: “He was very nice, bubbly, always had a big smile on his face.” [21:23]

• Discovering the Lies:

  • Police reveal Joplin lied about Dr. Garcia (claiming he had terminal cancer).
  • Kristen realizes Joplin fabricated significant parts of his life and relationships, including cheating on her with an ex-girlfriend (the woman who accompanied him to Alaska).

• Kristen’s Reaction:

  • “The best way I describe how it ... what I felt like is that my world turned upside down and inside out...” [27:42]
  • Shocked to find Dr. Garcia’s wallet, car keys, and cell phone in their home (the latter hidden in a Faraday bag to block electronic signals).

4. Revealing the “Secret Relationship” & the Chilling Card

[29:34 - 31:28]

• Police Discover Personal Letters:

  • Letters from Joplin to Garcia are romantic; two cards from Garcia to Joplin found:
    • November 2016 card referencing a breakup and reconciliation
    • Valentine’s Day 2017 card, a month before Garcia’s death, reads:
      • “You are my first and only love of my life... You’ll probably kill me. But know that I will never let you down.” – Signed, Eric. [31:01]

• Emotional Impact:

  • Officer Purcell: “To me, it was eerie just reading that.”
  • This confirms a romantic, but secret, long-distance relationship between the two men.

5. Financial Crimes and Psychological Manipulation

[33:30 - 34:29]

• The Scope of Theft:
  • Joplin transferred over $30,000 from Garcia’s bank accounts in the days after the doctor’s death.
  • Officers note that Joplin lied to everyone in his life, playing a “long con” on Dr. Garcia.
  • Officer Miller: “I think he played a very long, long con with Dr. Garcia, unfortunately.” [34:29]

6. The Disturbing Video: “Death Gasping”

[35:05 - 37:40]

• Breakthrough Evidence:

  • Police unlock Joplin’s phone and find an 8-second video.
  • It shows Dr. Garcia, near death from a morphine overdose, gasping for air on the couch—matching how police found him.
  • Joplin films Garcia’s face during his apparent last moments.

• Haunting Description:

  • Sgt. Matson: “Watching that video, I knew that Dr. Garcia was dying at that moment. He was gasping for air ...” [36:27]

• Limitations:

  • The video places Joplin in the room at the time of death, but doesn't conclusively prove murder over suicide or accidental overdose.

7. Conclusion: Unraveling a Web of Deception

[37:59 - 38:21]

• Unanswered Questions:

  • Toxicology shows Dr. Garcia died from a morphine overdose, but how it was administered—and whether it was murder—remains unclear.
  • Investigators are left with disturbing evidence of theft, manipulation, and a possibly fatal betrayal.

• Final Reflection:

  • Kristin Coles Nelson: “All I kept thinking was that Dr. Garcia had to have been a wonderful human being because that’s who Jordan targeted.” [38:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discovering Garcia’s possessions:
  • “There is everything and anything in here. You could just see everything. Everything imaginable.” – Officer Miller [07:32]
• On the overwhelming scale of the theft:
  • “It was overwhelming. It was a lot. It was like nothing I've ever seen.” – Officer Matson [08:34]
• Kristen’s world being upended:
  • “I was naive, blinded by love, and wish I had seen more red flags.” – Kristen Coles Nelson [27:42]
• The chilling card from Dr. Garcia:
  • “You are my first and only love of my life... You’ll probably kill me.” – Dr. Eric Garcia [31:01]
• The damning video:
  • “He was gasping for air. He was trying to cling to life.” – Sgt. Eric Matson [36:27]
• On Joplin’s manipulative nature:
  • “I realized that he was really good at lying to people... I can’t believe I let him fool me.” – Kristen Coles Nelson [32:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Beginning of case discussion: [00:52]
• Police plan to intercept container: [04:43 - 05:54]
• Searching the shipping containers: [07:24 - 09:59]
• Sting to arrest Joplin: [12:45 - 14:59]
• Kristen’s account and police search at Maple Valley: [19:38 - 28:05]
• Discovery of romantic letters & the “You’ll probably kill me” card: [29:34 - 31:20]
• Investigators process Joplin’s manipulation & theft: [33:30 - 34:29]
• Discovery and reaction to death video: [35:05 - 37:40]
• End of core episode content: [38:21]

Overall Tone & Style

The episode keeps a formal, investigative tone while allowing witnesses and investigators to share emotional, candid reactions. The storytelling weaves between procedural narrative and the personal devastation experienced by those Joplin deceived. Several moments, especially the uncovering of personal letters and the harrowing video, are presented with palpable shock and sadness.

This detailed summary captures the episode’s key storylines, gives a sense of the tension and heartbreak involved, and highlights the most memorable evidence—serving as both a recap for listeners and a valuable guide for those seeking a deeper understanding of the case.