Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska – Episode 5: Jordan

ABC News | August 26, 2025 | Host: Chris Connelly

Overview

This episode dives into the complicated background of Jordan Joplin, the main suspect in Dr. Eric Garcia’s mysterious death in Ketchikan, Alaska. It traces Jordan’s tumultuous upbringing, his relationships, brushes with the law, and eventual intertwined fate with Dr. Garcia. Through interviews with family, ex-girlfriends, and friends, the episode explores how secrets, longing for attention, and hidden motives may have converged—raising questions about love, manipulation, and the quest for belonging.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jordan Joplin’s Upbringing and Family Life

• Raised in a busy blended household in Forks, Washington (Twilight fans know it as the “vampire town”).

• Craved attention and acted out as a child.

  • “I think Jordan was getting into trouble for attention, and I think that's what it was... nobody pays attention to me.” — Sandy, Jordan’s Aunt [04:24]

• Developed a close relationship with his mother, who was his “link to sanity.”

Early Signs of Trouble

• Felony convictions related to insurance fraud and community service at a food bank (met ex-girlfriend Jessica Everton there).
• Pattern of impulsive behaviors.
  • “He was rambunctious. But it got rough for him after a while because he was very impulsive... Instead of thinking about it, he would just do something and then go, oh, wow, that was fun.” — Sandy (Jordan’s Aunt) [03:51]

Romantic Relationships & Manipulation

• Dated many women, often at the same time.
• Relationship with Jessica Everton marked by charisma but also manipulation and crime.
  • Shoplifting incident at Walmart led to both being arrested; Jessica ended the relationship after.
  • Jordan tried to win her back with “dozens and dozens of roses” but turned threatening when rejected.
    • “If I can't have you, nobody can... he started threatening my family.” — Jessica Everton (Jordan's Ex-Girlfriend) [09:04]
    • Jessica secured a restraining order, after which the harassment stopped.

Adult Industry and Attention Seeking

• Friend Crescenta Lawrence describes Jordan as high-energy, attention-seeking, generous at times, and able to captivate people.
  • “He radiated such energy about him that anybody would want to be around him.” — Crescenta Lawrence (Jordan's Friend) [11:20]
• With Crescenta’s help, Jordan entered the adult entertainment (porn) industry under several aliases (Rob Stonebridge, Logan Cruz), as both a dancer and adult film actor.
  • “He was such an attention hog. He got that from dancing. But Jordan wanted to really, really make a name for himself, so we got him into something a little bit more heavier.” — Crescenta Lawrence [12:07]

The Loss of His Mother & Personal Downfall

• The death of his mother in 2015 profoundly impacted him; relatives say he changed fundamentally.
  • “That affected Jordan big time. Losing his mom, that was his only link to sanity was his mom.” — Sandy (Jordan’s Aunt) [13:38]
• Moved to Alaska, grew distant from family.

Dr. Garcia’s Life and Secret Relationship

• Dr. Garcia: respected surgeon, committed son, but described as emotionally repressed and private.

• Rarely discussed relationships, leading family to speculate about his personal struggles and loneliness.

  • “He never mentioned anything about any type of relationship or romantic involvement.” — Carlos Gonzalez (Dr. Garcia’s Friend) [22:22]
  • “He kind of fell into a little bit of a depression right after [surgery]...maybe it's time for me to enjoy my life some more.” — Saul Garcia (Dr. Garcia’s Brother) [21:11]

• Dr. Garcia and Jordan’s relationship kept secret; police found handwritten love notes, flirty texts, and passionate photos after Garcia’s death.

Signs of Trouble: Suspicion, Deceit, and Toxicity

• Police uncovered a faked cancer story—Jordan lied about having colorectal cancer to Dr. Garcia, apparently for sympathy [25:33].

• Alleged dangerous incident: Garcia’s friend Carlos recounts a suspicious episode where Dr. Garcia was found naked and injured, with memory loss after a birthday celebration with Jordan; the event went unreported.

  • “He was like, ‘I'm going to prepare this drink for you.’ That was the last thing he remembered.” — Carlos Gonzalez (Dr. Garcia’s Friend) [26:50]
  • Garcia reportedly found a note in Jordan’s handwriting: “If you are going to be suicidal, we cannot continue as a couple.” [27:52]

• Photographs found on Jordan’s phone depicted Garcia unconscious, with pills scattered around.

Aftermath: Investigation and Theories

• Jordan called in multiple welfare checks on Dr. Garcia after his death; police found the scenes suspicious.
• The Ketchikan police came to see Dr. Garcia as a vulnerable, private man manipulated by Jordan.
  • “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.” — Carlos Gonzalez (Dr. Garcia’s Friend) [31:01]
• Yet, the biggest question remains: Where did the fatal morphine dose come from? Police had no direct evidence linking Jordan to the morphine.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On attention and love:
  “He just wanted to take care of her body. He always said that when I get older, Aunt Sandy, I'm going to get rich and I'm going to take care of all you.” — Sandy (Jordan's Aunt) [02:41]

• On Jordan’s manipulative behavior:
  “If I can't have you, nobody can.” — Jessica Everton (Jordan's Ex-Girlfriend) [09:04]

• On the complexity of Jordan’s character:
  “He was an angel…Anybody would want to be around him.” — Crescenta Lawrence (Jordan’s Friend) [11:20]
  “He was so confident he'd have two, three girlfriends at the same time. As a matter of fact, in the same truck…” — Crescenta Lawrence [11:49]

• On Dr. Garcia’s loneliness:
  “He had been without any relationship, without anything for so years. So lonely.” — Carlos Gonzalez (Dr. Garcia’s Friend) [21:36]

• On the unraveling relationship:
  “Today I found something that really scared me. I found a note with his handwriting [Jordan’s] saying, if you are going to be suicidal, we cannot continue as a couple.” — Carlos Gonzalez (Dr. Garcia's Friend) [27:52]

• On what the investigation revealed:
  “Dr. Garcia, with all his amazing abilities, was a vulnerable man. He met a predator by the name of Jordan Joplin…” — Carlos Gonzalez [31:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jordan’s Early Life & Family: [02:41]-[04:49]
• Relationship with Jessica Everton & Crime: [05:24]-[08:47]
• Harassment and Restraining Order: [08:47]-[09:44]
• Friendship with Crescenta Lawrence & Entry to Adult Industry: [10:01]-[13:08]
• Mother’s Death & Decline: [13:38]-[14:11]
• Dr. Garcia’s Life & Privacy: [17:39]-[22:22]
• Dr. Garcia’s Vulnerabilities & Relationship Toxicity: [25:33]-[27:52]
• Photo Evidence & Police Theory: [29:03]-[31:01]
• Open Questions on Morphine: [31:29]-[32:12]

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a somber, investigative tone, weaving personal anecdotes with careful, fact-driven narration. Firsthand testimonies provide emotional context, while the host synthesizes evidence and theories without over-sensationalizing.

Conclusion

This episode paints a complex portrait of Jordan Joplin and his fraught relationship with Dr. Garcia. It exposes the interplay between a longing for connection and destructive behaviors, making clear that behind the shocking death lay years of secrecy, longing, and missed warnings. The question of Dr. Garcia’s fatal morphine dose lingers, emphasizing that not all mysteries are easily solved—even when the evidence seems overwhelming.

For listeners seeking true crime rich in psychological nuance and emotional depth, "Jordan" is an engaging, darkly intimate installment of Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska.