‘20/20’ Investigates the Murder of a Beloved Surgeon, Found Dead in His Home

Dr. Eric Garcia was a beloved surgeon in the small town of Ketchikan, Alaska. Known for his dedication to patients, those who knew Dr. Garcia described him as a pillar of this tight-knit community. So, when Dr. Garcia was found dead in his home following a welfare check by local authorities, friends and family were left shocked, grieving and grappling with a profound sense of loss and unanswered questions as to how Dr. Garcia died. The new episode of “20/20,” with reporting from correspondent Chris Connelly, airs on Friday, Sept. 20 (9:00-11:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC and next day on Hulu.

As officers begin to investigate Dr. Garcia’s death, evidence soon reveals a secret romance, the theft of nearly half a million dollars of property from his home, and a suspect with a criminal history who had access and a motive to kill.

As details of Dr. Garcia’s life are revealed, it seemed as if he was living a secret life with then 32-year-old Jordan Joplin, who was later convicted of poisoning him with a lethal dose of morphine and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of the doctor’s belongings, including gold and silver coins and expensive watches, by shipping them to his home in Washington state.

What was the motive behind the murder of Dr. Eric Garcia? How did the doctor meet Jordan Joplin, and what happened to this beloved small-town doctor? “20/20” goes to Ketchikan in search of answers.

Interviews include Dr. Garcia’s brother, Saul Garcia; Dawn Hink and Bobby Jackson, close friends of Dr. Garcia in Ketchikan who were at the scene when police found Garcia’s body; law enforcement officials, including Ketchikan Deputy Police Chief Eric Mattson and retired detective Devin Miller and Seattle-area investigators, retired Maj. John McSwain and Sgt. Jake Pavlovich of the King County Sherriff’s Office; Kristin Cowles-Nelson, Joplin’s former fiancée; Sandra Flores, Joplin’s aunt; Jessica Everton, Joplin’s former girlfriend; Chrisanta Lorance, a close friend of Joplin’s; and Zach Halaschak, a former reporter who covered the case closely.

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Sarah Jautz
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Bridgette Maney
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