Suvechha Sarkar
Chad Entzel was a beloved brother, dutiful father, and loving husband. He was just 42 years old when he unexpectedly passed away in Bismarck, North Dakota, in December 2019. What initially seemed to be an accidental fire was soon uncovered as arson, shifting the case to a homicide. ABC’s ’20/20: The Last Strike’ focuses on the circumstances surrounding the death of Chad and the investigation that followed. Through interviews with Chad’s loved ones and law enforcement officials, the episode also pieces together the evidence about a deadly plot.
Chad Entzel’s Life Reflected His Love for Community and Connection
Chad Entzel arrived in the world as a ray of sunshine on March 31, 1977, in Halliday, North Dakota. Growing up, he was always surrounded by the love and support of his parents, Ernie and Deb Entzel, and his sister, Lori Kraus. His loved ones remember him as someone kind with an outgoing personality. After graduating from Halliday Public School, Chad pursued higher education at a college in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Eventually, he began his professional journey as a coach of a small league, where he loved guiding the youth. Around 2000, Chad settled in Bismarck and started working at Interstate Power, a power diesel engine repair facility. In his free time, he immersed himself in his hobby of racing.
Besides that, Chad enjoyed playing darts, golf, and attending bowling alleys. In his adulthood, he met Susie Entzel, and they soon began dating, leading to their marriage. According to Susie, Chad’s active social life gradually got in the way of their union. Hence, after 17 years of being together, they amicably parted ways. Chad thought he had found love once again when he crossed paths with Nikki Heinz on a dating website. She was a single mother with two sons, Marcus and Christopher Heinz. According to reports, Chad embraced her sons just like his own children. Ultimately, Chad and Nikki tied the knot in a small ceremony on May 21, 2016. Everything seemed to be perfect until January 2, 2020.
Chad Entzel’s Burnt Remains Were Uncovered From His Upstairs Bedroom
Around 5:30 pm on January 2, 2020, Nikki called 911 to report that Chad’s house was on fire. When officials arrived, they discovered his truck on the driveway with a frozen bottle inside. They reportedly noted that there was no damage from fire outside the house. However, they found fire damage on the metal casing of the furnace in the basement. Reports state that as the fire authorities checked the upstairs bedroom, they discovered that the majority of the damage was there, and the room was blackened with soot and smoke. They reportedly uncovered the remains of an unclothed man, who was Chad. Detectives found a propane heater near the bed, a burnt mattress, whiskey bottles, and a 12-gauge shotgun on the bed. Initially, they considered the possibility of a suicide, but that changed when they noted that the gun was kept away from Chad’s remains.
Further inspection revealed pellets embedded in the wall near the head of the bed. Additionally, detectives discovered a lack of soot in certain areas, indicating that the propane heater might’ve been moved. According to police records, forensic experts found a trail of blood leading from one side of the bed to where Chad’s remains were found. Additionally, a canine detected the presence of accelerant in the basement and bedroom. They also found debris on the furnace, including a Marlboro cigarette pack, which made the officials consider the possibility of arson. Ultimately, the autopsy revealed that Chad had two gunshot wounds, to the arm and head. His cause of death was determined to be a combination of the gunshot wounds. Chad’s manner of death was reportedly ruled a homicide.
Phone Data and Surveillance Footage Uncovered an Alleged Hidden Affair
Initially, officials questioned Nikki, who claimed that she and Chad had gotten into a fight. In her statements, she claimed that she then went to stay at a hotel, Staybridge Suites, and allegedly returned to find the home on fire. According to court records, Nikki reportedly took a detective to Chad’s house on January 6, 2020, where she alleged that Chad used to drink heavily and abuse her. Official reports indicate that detectives then reviewed the surveillance footage from Chad’s home, which revealed him leaving for the bowling alley at approximately 5:06 pm on December 30, 2019. Shockingly, they discovered a car pulling into the driveway around 7 pm, driven by a man named Earl Howard. As per reports, Nikki was also in the vehicle, and they were seen loading her personal belongings into the truck.
When Nikki was questioned, she claimed that Earl was a friend and had a wife and child in Canada. According to reports, she insisted on not having any romantic relationships with him. Investigators then tracked her phone’s location and reviewed the CCTV footage from her workplace and a nearby Walmart. Police records indicate that it captured Nikki and Earl leaving together during lunchtime and sharing a kiss at Walmart. Moreover, they learned that Nikki had texted Chad about working later for a training program on December 27, 2019. However, court records specify that she had actually flown to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to meet Earl. Authorities also checked the surveillance footage from Staybridge Suites, which revealed that Nikki was staying there with Earl.
Alleged Financial Motive and a Confession Shed Light on the Conspirators
The CCTV footage from Staybridge Suites reportedly captured Earl and Nikki leaving the hotel around 1 am on December 31. According to investigative reports, shortly after, the home security system at Chad’s home was accessed, and it wasn’t accessed again until 2:58 am. When Nikki was interrogated again, she claimed that she had gone there to collect medicines. Police records indicate that she then alleged that Chad and Earl had gotten into an argument on that morning while she allegedly waited in the car. In her statements, she alleged that when Earl returned, he confessed to killing Chad. Nikki was finally arrested in January 2020 and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit arson, and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.
Earl was arrested on January 9, 2020, and indicted on the charges of murder, arson, and three conspiracy charges of murder, tampering with evidence, and arson. During his questioning, he claimed that he was in an affair with Nikki and was about to break it off. According to reports, he claimed that on December 31, 2019, Chad had kicked Earl out after he allegedly told Chad about Nikki leaving him. Earl claimed that he was waiting in the car when Nikki returned and allegedly admitted to shooting Chad. He reportedly confessed that he later went back to tamper with the evidence, but Nikki allegedly had no idea about it. Court records indicate that detectives also discovered two life insurance policies on Chad. They totaled approximately $600,000, with Nikki reportedly named as the beneficiary.
As per reports, officials considered the insurance payout and the alleged affair to be the motive behind the murder. The murder charge against Earl was later dismissed since it was reportedly not determined who fired the fatal shot. He pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charges and arson in February 2022 and was sentenced to 25 years in prison right after. He must serve at least 85% of that sentence (about 21 years) before becoming eligible for parole. The jury trial of Nikki began in September 2022, and she was found guilty of all charges on October 4, 2022. She was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole on February 17, 2023. Nikki reportedly has to serve at least 85% of her life sentence (approximately 36 years) before she will be eligible for parole.
Read More: Michelle Martinko Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
