Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska - Episode: Lost and Found
Hosted by ABC News
Release Date: August 5, 2025

Introduction

In the remote town of Ketchikan, Alaska, the sudden death of Dr. Eric Garcia—an esteemed local surgeon—sets off a chain of mysterious events. Initially presumed to be a heart attack or suicide, deeper investigations suggest foul play may be involved. This episode, titled "Lost and Found," delves into the complexities surrounding Dr. Garcia's demise, unraveling secrets that paint a different picture of the beloved doctor.

Discovery of Dr. Garcia

On March 27, 2017, Dr. Eric Garcia was found dead in his spacious home. Present in the driveway were several individuals connected to him:

• Don Hink: Dr. Garcia's friend and colleague at the hospital, 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 long-time realtor in Ketchikan and friend, responsible for showing Dr. Garcia various properties.

The presence of these individuals raised initial questions about Dr. Garcia's state before his death.

Initial Theories and The Scene

Upon discovering Dr. Garcia's body, police speculated on natural causes due to his medical history. However, subtle clues hinted at a more sinister possibility:

• Evidence Found: A pill bottle containing diazepam (Valium) suggested a potential overdose. Additionally, items like an open package of bacon, a partially burned piece of charcoal, a barbecue grill placed unusually in the doorway, and mysterious purple residue on Dr. Garcia's shirt complicated the scene.

  Narrator [00:42]: "It was a bottle for a prescription sedative. It seemed possible Dr. Garcia had taken too many and overdosed."

Loved ones, however, were skeptical of suicide, believing instead in a medical event as the cause of death.

Friends and Family Insights

Dr. Garcia was known for his affluence and passion for collecting valuable items. He lived alone in a large house, leading some to question if his solitary lifestyle contributed to his untimely death.

• Saul Garcia (Brother): Described the house as lonely and expressed disbelief that his brother would end his life alone.

  Saul Garcia [05:20]: "I was by myself there cleaning, and it was so lonely there."

• Bob Jackson (Realtor and Friend): Highlighted Dr. Garcia's extensive collection of valuables, including high-end watches, coins, rare liquors, and designer items. Bob also noted Dr. Garcia’s meticulous tracking of his investments.

  Bob Jackson [10:10]: "This is one of the things I teased him about. He bought lots of stuff for himself."

Despite his wealth, Dr. Garcia was known to delegate household tasks, often relying on friends like Dawn Hink, his de facto assistant at the hospital, for assistance.

The Mystery of the Missing Smoke Detectors

A pivotal moment in the investigation came when Dr. Garcia's brother, Saul, discovered missing smoke detectors near his brother's house.

• Saul's Discovery: While walking near an overpass, Saul noticed white specks that, upon closer inspection with his phone, appeared to be smoke detectors. He called the police, leading officers to find six smoke detectors scattered in a ravine.

  Saul Garcia [30:48]: "...these look like the smoke detectors."

This discovery was crucial as it suggested someone might have tampered with the house to conceal evidence or create a misleading scene.

The Toxicology Report and New Revelations

The autopsy provided shocking details:

• Cause of Death: A lethal dose of morphine was found in Dr. Garcia's system, but no morphine was present in the house, and there were no injection sites, indicating ingestion rather than injection.

• Additional Findings: Trace amounts of diazepam were detected, and a significant level of carbon monoxide (9%) was present in his blood.

  Eric Mattson [28:12]: "The toxicology report revealed a 9% value of carbon monoxide."

These findings contradicted the initial theory of a heart attack or suicide, pointing towards potential murder.

Investigation Progress and Uncovering Foul Play

With these inconsistencies, Sergeant Eric Mattson took the lead in investigating the case, determined to uncover the truth behind Dr. Garcia's death.

• Unsecured Valuables: Approximately half a million dollars worth of valuables had gone missing from Dr. Garcia's residence. This included gold, silver, alcohol, and other collectibles, which were meticulously collected and tracked by Dr. Garcia.

  Jordan Joplin [18:20]: "We believe that more than a half a million dollars worth of items was stolen from Dr. Garcia's residence."

• Discrepancies in the Scene: The absence of smoke detectors despite signs of charcoal and grilling raised suspicions. The malfunctioning or missing smoke detectors suggested intentional tampering.

  Eric Mattson [26:26]: "If you started a charcoal briquette inside your house, I would wonder why. Maybe some smoke detectors didn't go off."

These elements collectively indicated that Dr. Garcia's death was not accidental but involved deliberate actions to obscure the true cause.

Emerging Suspicions and Secret Relationships

As the investigation deepened, connections to unexpected individuals came to light, including a secret romance and ties to the adult film industry. This introduced a new suspect with a suspicious background, further complicating the case.

• Don Hink's Observations: Expressed growing suspicion and concern over the missing valuables and the circumstances of Dr. Garcia's death.

  Don's Husband, Will [14:10]: "Honestly, Will, I didn't plan any trips. But I did switch to T Mobile with their new family Freedom offer."

(Note: The above quote appears to be part of an advertisement and may be misattributed in the transcript. For accuracy, it's essential to cross-verify such segments.)

Conclusion

"Lost and Found" intricately weaves the narrative of Dr. Eric Garcia's mysterious death, highlighting inconsistencies in the initial findings and shedding light on his complex personal life. As Sergeant Mattson continues to probe deeper, the case unveils layers of deception, secret relationships, and potential motives that challenge the perception of the respected doctor. The episode leaves listeners on the edge, eager to uncover who might have had the means and motive to orchestrate such a perplexing crime in the serene landscapes of Alaska.

Notable Quotes:

• Bob Jackson [01:04]: "You can walk right out underneath the tree line and you could walk for hours and, you know, pine cones and trails and probably going to see a black bear at certain times of year eating the fish in the creek."

• Saul Garcia [05:20]: "There's no lights outside, it's so quiet. And inside that house, I just felt the loneliness that, you know, even though I'm married and everything, I just could not imagine him living in there, being so lonely."

• Dawn Hink [13:34]: "It's something that you don't. Normal people don't just give to whoever."

• Eric Mattson [23:02]: "When the officers observed Dr. Garcia deceased, there's a few theories that you come up with. Was it natural? You know, did the doctor have a heart attack?"

• Saul Garcia [30:11]: "Throughout this whole time. I always feel like Eric is very close to me. I always talk to him and said, Eric, you need to help us. We need to get this thing to a resolution. Are we missing something?"

This summary encapsulates the key elements and discussions from the "Lost and Found" episode of "Cold Blooded: Mystery in Alaska," providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.