Shivangi Sinha
In March 2017, friends of Dr. Eric Garcia from Ketchikan, Alaska, contacted police requesting a welfare check after he failed to return calls or respond to messages. They knew he had been on vacation, but his prolonged silence worried them. When officers entered his home, they discovered his body, with medical reports indicating he had been dead for about 10 days. Investigators explored multiple possibilities, but evidence soon pointed to foul play. ABC’s ‘20/20: Cold Blooded’ delves into the case, detailing the investigation and the steps that ultimately led to identifying and capturing the person responsible.
A Welfare Check Requested By a Friend Led to the Discovery of Dr. Eric Garcia’s Death
Eric Luis Garcia-Llorens was born on October 17, 1958, in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, and grew up alongside his two siblings, Saul Garcia and Lissette Giannoni Garcia-Llorens. From a young age, he was known for his intelligence, and he had a clear vision for his future as he wanted to enter the medical profession. He attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, graduating in 1984, and later moved to the US to further his training. From 1990 to 1993, he completed his residency at the Chicago Medical School, part of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.
Eric initially established his own medical practice in McAllen and Eagle Pass, Texas, where he earned a reputation as a dedicated and skilled surgeon. However, after taking a cruise to Alaska in the late 1990s or early 2000s, he fell in love with the scenic charm and close-knit feel of the town of Ketchikan. He decided to make it his home and relocated there to begin a new chapter in his career and life. By 2007, he was serving as a general surgeon at PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center and also worked with the Wrangell and Petersburg Medical Centers, becoming a respected figure in Alaska’s medical community.
Everyone who knew Eric admired him for his warmth, humility, and generosity. He greeted people with kindness and never hesitated to help whenever he could. In March 2017, he had plans to travel to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a medical conference, and the last day he was seen at his clinic was March 16. Concern arose when friends could no longer reach him. On March 27, a close friend contacted police to request a welfare check. That same day, officers entered his home and discovered Eric’s remains on the first-floor living room sofa. Toxicology results later revealed lethal amounts of multiple drugs, including morphine, methadone, diazepam, and lorazepam.
Dr. Eric Garcia’s Killer Stole His Coin Collection and Other Valuables
At first, investigators were unsure whether Dr. Eric Garcia’s death was the result of suicide or foul play. That changed when a quick search of his home revealed that his extensive collection of gold and silver coins, accumulated over many years, was missing. In addition, a large portion of his expensive alcohol collection had also vanished. Detectives’ suspicions deepened further when they discovered that all of the smoke alarms in the house had been removed. These devices were later found discarded in the woods near his property, which strongly suggested deliberate tampering and an attempt to conceal a crime. The police began examining Eric’s life more closely, and one person who quickly drew their attention was Jordan Joplin.
He was the very man who had requested the welfare check. Joplin had first contacted authorities on March 18, saying that Eric, a close friend, was supposed to meet him in Seattle, Washington, but never arrived. He called again on March 27 and traveled to Ketchikan, Alaska, carrying keys to Eric’s house and a document granting him power of attorney in the latter’s name. He let officers into the home. Investigators soon learned that Joplin was an exotic dancer and had been in a romantic relationship with Eric for years. He told police he had visited Eric on March 15, and they had even gone to Walmart to purchase storage supplies. He claimed his partner didn’t want to keep his valuable coin collection at home for safety reasons and intended to send it to him.
The Killer Was Arrested in Washington and Brought to Alaska
Part of Joplin’s story did check out. Police confirmed that a large shipment in Eric Garcia’s name had been sent to him on March 17, containing hundreds of collectible coins. However, when investigators reviewed Walmart’s CCTV footage, they saw only Joplin making the purchase, with no sign of Eric. Digging deeper, they examined the former’s bank accounts and discovered that between March 16 and March 30, 2017, nearly $40,000 had been transferred from Eric to Joplin. This raised further suspicion. A search warrant was executed at Joplin’s home, where officers recovered the doctor’s cellphone and wallet.
On March 31, 2017, Joplin was arrested in Washington and extradited to Alaska. The most damning piece of evidence came from his own phone. It was a video dated March 17 showing Eric gasping for air on the same couch where his body was discovered ten days later. Investigators concluded that Joplin’s motive was greed, believing he killed his partner to gain access to his wealth and valuables. In April 2024, after years of legal proceedings, he was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, and first-degree theft, finally bringing justice in a case that had shocked the small community of Ketchikan.
Read More: Where is Jordan Joplin Now? Update on Eric Garcia’s Killer
