Alaska surgeon Dr. Eric Garcia found dead at home, investigation underway

Dr. Eric Garcia, a respected surgeon in Alaska, was found dead in his home ten days after a welfare check was requested by a concerned friend. The investigation revealed that Garcia had been in contact with Jordan Joplin, who was later arrested for theft and indicted for Garcia's murder. Evidence suggested that Joplin may have staged the scene to appear as a suicide, using a charcoal barbeque to create the illusion of carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities discovered a shipping receipt in Garcia's truck indicating that over 4,000 pounds of items had been sent to Washington state, raising suspicions about Joplin's involvement. An autopsy could not definitively determine if Garcia had ingested morphine intentionally or if it was administered by someone else. Joplin's defense claimed that Garcia was planning to retire and had given him belongings, arguing that the case against him was circumstantial. In May 2023, Joplin went to trial, where prosecutors presented video evidence from his cell phone showing Garcia in a critical state just before his death. This footage was pivotal, as it depicted Garcia unconscious and gasping for air, mirroring his position when found by police. The prosecution's case was bolstered by testimony from a friend of Joplin's, who revealed that she had sold him morphine prior to Garcia's death. This information was crucial in establishing a motive and connection between Joplin and the circumstances surrounding Garcia's tragic demise.