A Minnesota Man Shot His Wife Over Money Problems. But He Blamed Her Death on a Mysterious Home Intruder.

A Minnesota murder mystery that became a cold case for more than a decade recently led to a life sentence for the victim's husband.

Nick Firkus, now 41, was sentenced to life without parole in St. Paul for shooting and killing his first wife, Heidi Firkus,14 years ago, in April 2010.

Heidi Firkus reported a home break-in to 911. Then came a gunshot, and her phone line went dead.

Police found Heidi Firkus' body, with Nick Firkus wounded in the leg. He claimed for years, including at his recent sentencing hearing, that his wife's report was inaccurate.

Nick Firkus contended he fought an intruder who had a shotgun. But prosecutors said that claim wasn't supported by the evidence.

For instance, ABC News reported that tests of the gun used in the shooting only had Nick Firkus' DNA on it. And a prosecution statement announcing his arrest noted the 911 call contained no sounds indicating a struggle was occurring at the time it was placed.

Authorities concluded Firkus murdered his wife after lying about financial issues and a possible eviction. WCCO-TV reported Firkus went 22 months without making mortgage payments on the couple's home.

Firkus's second wife claimed she secretly recorded a conversation with him about possibly lying about the death.

Firkus was arrested in May 2021, and he was convicted by a jury in February 2023.