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“The Last Strike”: 20/20 Reports on Chad Entzel Homicide December 26 2025

by · December 25, 2025

ABC’s 20/20 revisits a chilling case of betrayal and murder in its encore presentation of “The Last Strike,” airing Friday, December 26, 2025. Anchored by correspondent John Quiñones, the two-hour episode unpacks the tragic unraveling of a marriage in Bismarck, North Dakota, where what began as a house fire call became a homicide investigation. The broadcast features exclusive interviews, surveillance footage, and interrogation videos that collectively illuminate how a deadly affair spiraled into an irreversible crime.

The central figure in this case is Nikki Entzel, a North Dakota woman convicted of conspiring with her lover, Earl Howard, to kill her husband, Chad Entzel, in January 2020. Quiñones interviews Nikki from jail, where she continues to deny her role in the murder. As the episode reveals, the case against her rests on a web of conflicting accounts, digital forensics, and surveillance that ultimately led a jury to convict her of conspiracy to commit murder, arson, and evidence tampering.

Discovery of the Crime Scene

On January 2, 2020, emergency responders arrived at the Entzel home following a 911 call about a fire. Nikki Entzel claimed to have come home to find smoke filling the house and her husband missing. Firefighters found Chad Entzel’s body in a bedroom. While the fire initially looked accidental, closer inspection raised red flags. Chad’s body bore two shotgun wounds, and the presence of fire accelerant suggested arson.

Investigators discovered two separate fires had been set—one in the bedroom and another in the basement. This unusual pattern made it clear the fire was intentionally set, leading authorities to suspect foul play. Chad’s death was not caused by smoke inhalation or fire injuries but by the gunshots, each potentially fatal. The gun was suspiciously placed on the bed rather than near the body, further casting doubt on any theory of suicide or accident.

Uncovering a Secret Relationship

As detectives dug into the Entzels’ lives, a complex story emerged. Nikki Entzel, then 41, was romantically involved with Earl Howard, a married man from Ontario, Canada. Surveillance footage showed the pair traveling together throughout Bismarck and even kissing outside a Walmart in the days leading up to the murder. Phone records, hotel receipts, and security footage confirmed that Nikki and Howard had been in close contact and spent time at hotels around the city.

During questioning, Nikki gave multiple inconsistent statements. At times, she claimed to have been present during the shooting. Other times, she said she was out for a long walk in the early hours of the morning. In contrast, Earl Howard told investigators he waited in the car while Nikki shot Chad, and that he later returned to help burn the house to destroy evidence. Both blamed each other for the shooting, leaving investigators unable to determine who pulled the trigger.

The Investigation and Prosecution

The investigation relied heavily on digital forensics, surveillance footage, and witness interviews. Authorities noted Howard purchasing supplies later used in the arson. Investigators also used a K-9 unit to detect accelerants in the home, confirming the deliberate nature of the fire. Despite the conflicting narratives, the cumulative evidence pointed to a coordinated plot between Howard and Nikki.

Burleigh County State’s Attorney Julie Lawyer and North Dakota BCI agents Mike Meese and Joe Arenz led the prosecution’s case. They argued that Nikki and Howard conspired to kill Chad in order to collect life insurance money and start a new life together in Texas. The jury found Nikki guilty of all charges in October 2022. In February 2023, she was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after serving at least 36 years.

Earl Howard accepted a plea deal in February 2022. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with parole eligibility after 21 years. The murder charge against him was dropped when forensic evidence failed to prove who fired the gun.

Nikki Entzel Speaks Out

In her exclusive interview with John Quiñones, Nikki Entzel maintained her innocence. She claimed to have no role in the killing and said she was being portrayed unfairly. When confronted with inconsistencies in her stories and the surveillance footage contradicting her denials, Nikki deflected, suggesting the kiss with Howard “could have happened” but denying any romantic relationship.

She also attempted to distance herself from the events of the night of the murder, stating she was out walking for nearly two hours in freezing temperatures. Yet earlier interviews with police had her at home at the time of the shooting, further complicating her narrative. Nikki acknowledged to ABC that her stories had changed multiple times, which she attributed to fear and confusion.

Legal Outcome and Aftermath

Following her sentencing, Nikki’s attorney filed an appeal, arguing that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient for a conviction. The North Dakota Supreme Court reviewed the case and ruled in October 2023 that the conviction would stand. The court found that the evidence presented allowed a reasonable jury to infer guilt. This closed the legal chapter of a case that had already gripped the Bismarck community for nearly four years.

Chad Entzel’s family, including his sister Lori Kraus and ex-wife Susie Entzel, shared their grief and disbelief over what had transpired. They remembered Chad as a kind and active man, devoted to hobbies like bowling, darts, and racing. His death shattered a family and exposed a fatal web of secrets, lies, and betrayal.

“The Last Strike” serves not only as a true-crime chronicle but also as a sobering reminder of how personal relationships, when combined with greed and deceit, can have devastating consequences. The episode provides viewers with an unfiltered look at justice in action, framed by the voices of those left behind and those who pursued the truth.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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