(Part 1 of 2) The thought of marriage can be overwhelming…Even if you’re sure you’ve met the man or woman of your dreams, it’s a commitment that should never be taken lightly. You’ve got to be careful when choosing a forever partner…because a lot of people aren’t exactly who they say they are. 27-year-old Nicholas Firkus seemed like an innocent church goer - right alongside his wife Heidi. But after a black man wearing a hooded sweatshirt broke into their St. Paul, MN home, authorities eventually began looking at the husband as a suspect, after a home invasion turned deadly. 

Written by Michael Dunphy Jr., Executive Produced by Michael Ojibway. 

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Written/Audio Sources: 

• Was there a stranger in the house, or did her husband murder her? Case goes to Minnesota jury

• Heidi Firkus’ family despaired of finding justice. 11 years later, a police sergeant came through.

• The Absolutely Bizarre Death of Heidi Firkus | by Shenbaga Lakshmi

• A St. Paul woman's family despaired of finding justice; 11 years later, a police sergeant came through

• Defense expected to call witnesses Thursday in Firkus murder trial

• Watch 20/20 Season 45 Episode 27 Stranger in the House Online

• State v. Nicholas Firkus | Ramsey County

• State of Minnesota District Court County of Ramsey 2nd Judicial District 

• 2nd wife's suspicions confirmed with ex-husband's arrest for murder - ABC News

• Obituary | Heidi Marie Firkus | Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell Funeral Home

• Husband locked up for life after blowing away first wife with shotgun, blaming murder on nonexistent Black man, remarrying 

• Nicholas Firkus sentenced to life in prison for wife's murder he blamed on alleged intruder - Bring Me The News

• OFFICE OF THE RAMSEY COUNTY ATTORNEY

• Michael Pye: Where is Ex-Suspect in Heidi Firkus Case Now? 

• Nicholas Firkus gets life sentence for wife Heidi's murder he blamed on intruder

• Who was Heidi Firkus and what happened to her? | The US Sun

• A Minnesota cold case solved: The murder of Heidi Firkus featured on ABC's 20/20

• Nicholas Firkus sentenced to life in prison for wife's 2010 shooting death

• TV: 20/20 on Heidi Firkus murder case and trial verdict | Raleigh News & Observer

• Minnesota Man Who Killed Wife Out of Shame, Then Blamed Murder on a Black Man Sentenced to Life in Prison

• Man found guilty of murdering wife, staging break-in

• Husband sentenced to life in prison in wife’s 13-year cold case murder

• Man found guilty of murdering wife, staging break-in

• Heidi Firkus' 911 call

• Nicholas Firkus' 911 call

• Nicholas Firkus' interview with police (full version)

• Nicholas Firkus' interview with police (shorter version)

• Test from inside home

• Composite turned into police

• 4 Years After Daughter's Killing, Family Asks for Help

• Husband charged in 2010 murder of Heidi Firkus in St. Paul | FOX 9 KMSP

• Husband Arrested In Wife's Cold Case Murder

• Nicholas Firkus charged in wife Heidi's 2010 murder

• St. Paul man believes Nick Firkus tried to frame him in cold case murder

• Jury selection begins in Nick Firkus trial

• Jury finds Nicholas Firkus guilty of murdering wife in 2010

• Nicholas Firkus trial: Husband sentenced to life in wife's 2010 murder

• Nick Firkus sentenced to life in prison for murder of his wife

• Minnesota woman details secretly recording Nick Firkus for murder case investigation

• Authorities recall initial investigation into case of murdered Minnesota woman

• St. Paul man believes Nick Firkus tried to frame him in cold case murder

• Man accused of killing wife 11 years ago appears in court

Music & Sound Effect Sources

• Opening Track: “Unknown Position” by Cobby Costa

• Closing Track: “Don’t Leave Me” by Marc Torch

Music & Sound Effect Sources

All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound ® and SoundStripe ®.  Individual sources are available via request at [email protected]

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