Nicholas Firkus told the police that he accidentally shot his wife while struggling with a home intruder.
Trigger Warning: The story contains details of violence and murder that might be disturbing to some readers.
One man was charged with the murder of his wife more than 11 years after the incident. According to People, Nicholas Firkus from Minnesota was taken into custody by the St. Paul Police Department's SWAT team in connection with the death of his wife Heidi. Previously, the man claimed that he accidentally shot his wife in April 2010, while struggling with a home intruder.
However, police discovered that the death was not an accident. Speaking in a press conference, St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtella stated, "It's been 4,043 days since Heidi was shot and killed in her own home. More than 11 years. And I can say with absolute certainty that someone at the SPPD thought about this case every day."
Minn. Man Is Charged with Killing His Wife, 11 Years After Her 'Accidental' Death https://t.co/Cb766J7Gdc
— People (@people) May 20, 2021
As per the records, the incident unfolded at around 6:30 a.m. on April 25, 2010. Before Heidi was found dead, the authorities received two 911 calls from the couple's home. The first call that lasted 38 seconds was made by Heidi. Seconds before the call disconnected, a gunshot was heard. The second call, on the other hand, was made a minute later by Nicholas. The recording of the call included the sound of the approaching police.
On arriving at the scene, the authorities found the woman with a gunshot wound on her back. Nicholas too suffered from a wound on his leg. During the interview with the police, the husband informed that their house had been foreclosed for 10 months. However, his wife and their friends and family had no idea about it. He went on to say that they were due to be evicted on April 26, 2010.
Police arrested 38-year-old Nicholas Firkus Wednesday in connection with the 2010 murder of his wife, Heidi Firkus, in St. Paul. https://t.co/PbiwezCFz8
— FOX 9 (@FOX9) May 20, 2021
"Despite having to be out of the house on Monday, April 26, there is no sign that there had been any packing done and there is no evidence of any housing arrangements where they were going to stay," said Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Elizabeth Lamin.
During the investigation, police also learned there was no evidence of an intruder. As per the press conference, no background sound hinting at a struggle was recorded during Heidi's call. Additionally, nothing was taken from their home.
Heidi Firkus, 25, was killed April 25, 2010. Nicholas Firkus, then 27, told police that someone broke into their Hamline-Midway home in St. Paul about 6:30 a.m., and he grabbed his shotgun.https://t.co/C3WPDInobp
— MN CRIME 🚨 (@MN_CRIME) May 19, 2021
Email correspondence between the couple also indicated that Nicholas and Heidi were alone at the time. When Heidi told her husband about her Friday night plans with friends, he responded, "I'm okay with that, as long as I can have you to myself tomorrow [Saturday] night."
"And then, on Sunday morning, at 6:32 a.m., Heidi Firkus is dead. Dead from a single gunshot wound from the shotgun fired by Nicholas Firkus," confirmed Lamin.
With the evidence against the man, police charged him with second-degree intentional murder. In response to the arrest, Heidi's family released a statement.
"We're extremely grateful for all those who have worked so hard and long to get the case to this point. And also for everyone who has prayed and stood beside us all these years. We are hopeful that these charges will finally bring out the truth and result in justice for Heidi. Even though we know we can't have her back, we believe Heidi would want us to have the truth. God is honored by truth. Heidi's life and memory is further honored by truth," said the family's statement, according to St. Paul Pioneer Press.
References:
https://people.com/crime/minnesota-man-charged-killing-wife-11-years-after-death/
Cover image source: Ramsey County Jail
