20/20 After Show: The Last Strike
Podcast: 20/20 After Show
Host: Deborah Roberts (ABC News)
Guest: John Quinones (ABC News)
Episode Date: December 29, 2025
Episode Title: The After Show: The Last Strike
Overview
This episode of the 20/20 After Show dives deep into the chilling true crime story covered in the original 20/20 episode "The Last Strike"—the murder of Chad Entzel in Bismarck, North Dakota. Host Deborah Roberts and reporter John Quinones discuss the peculiarities and behind-the-scenes details of the case: a suspicious house fire, an unexpected love triangle, a key canine investigator, and exclusive interviews with those at the center of the crime. The episode also offers a candid look at the challenges reporters face covering such cases, particularly in unforgiving environments.
Episode Structure & Key Discussion Points
1. Setting the Scene: The Bismarck Case
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[00:33] Deborah introduces the lurid case: a house fire that spawns a complex murder investigation involving a love triangle.
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[01:02] The story is set in the bitter North Dakota winter—a literal and figurative chilling case.
"A 911 call that revealed a possible murder and love triangle that shocked Bismarck, North Dakota." — Deborah Roberts [01:02]
2. Reporting in the Elements: Behind the Scenes
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[02:19] John shares his experience shooting in brutal -20°F temps, highlighting the physical demands of on-location reporting.
"I grew up in South Texas and man, this was bitterly, bitterly cold... It was 20 below when we started shooting and we had to film a lot of it outdoors." — John Quinones [02:19]
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[04:28] John recounts a mishap: car trouble, frostbite, and the perils of prioritizing vanity over warmth.
"Truth be told, I look pretty silly hats. And I chose vanity. I chose looking good over warmth and function. My ears were exposed to the cold...The surface of my right ear had turned charcoal color and it was peeling off. It was...frostbite. It was a gift." — John Quinones [04:34, 05:06]
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[05:33] John gives his impression of Bismarck—a small, pretty town with low crime, making the case even more shocking.
3. The Crime: From Fire to Homicide Investigation
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[07:30] The show’s recap resumes: firefighters find Chad Entzel dead in his home, initially suspected to be a tragic accident.
"He was found at the home that he shared with his wife Nikki. And, you know, most folks just saw this as a tragedy in the very beginning, right?" — Deborah Roberts [07:30]
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[08:06] Chad is described as active, beloved, and an avid bowler—linking the murder’s title, "The Last Strike."
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[09:14] The introduction of Webster, a canine trained to detect accelerants, shifts the investigation from accident to arson.
"So they bring in this dog, this canine, Webster...And he can detect all kinds of ignitable liquids, like 60 different kinds. This dog, Webster, was also able to pinpoint investigators to a certain type of accelerant that was placed inside the house..." — John Quinones [09:14]
4. Unraveling the Love Triangle
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[10:19] Authorities discover the fire had two points of origin—bedroom and basement—confirming it was set intentionally.
"The fire was started in two different places. In the bedroom and also in the basement. The story pivots from there from a story of sadness now to suspicion." — John Quinones [10:19]
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[10:35] Surveillance tips off police to Nikki’s suspicious behavior with Earl Howard, a Canadian man with whom she is having an affair.
"They show Nikki walking around town with another guy and clearly having an affair. So once again, the radar goes off..." — Deborah Roberts [10:35]
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[11:46] Nikki and Earl are seen together multiple times on security cameras, including at Walmart the day before Chad’s death.
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[12:34] Nikki’s six-hour police interview: she accuses Earl of murder, Earl counters with his version, and each attempts to pin blame on the other.
"She tells them that it was Earl Howard, the lover, who shot her husband Chad, while they were struggling over a gun... But investigators, they weren't so convinced of that." — John Quinones [11:46, 12:34]
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[13:15] Earl admits to burning evidence and confirms the affair, pushing the investigation forward.
5. Community Shock and Legal Outcome
- [13:22] The crime rocks the small, tight-knit community; Nikki, once seen as a kind baker, is now under scrutiny.
- [13:56] Earl pleads guilty (arson, conspiracy) and is sentenced to 25 years; Nikki is tried and receives life with possibility of parole.
6. Exclusive Jailhouse Interview with Nikki
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[16:16] John interviews Nikki before her sentencing. She maintains her innocence and hopes to "get to the real answer" about what happened.
"She wanted to continue pleading her innocence. She claims she still wants to get to the real answer..." — John Quinones [16:16]
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[16:34] Nikki agrees to be interviewed after consulting her eldest son, a fan of John’s other show.
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[16:58] John characterizes Nikki as manipulative and describes her shifting stories about the night of the murder.
"She tried to manipulate everyone she could, including us in that interview." — John Quinones [16:58]
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[17:24] Nikki’s timeline fluctuates—originally saying she was inside, later claiming she was walking outside in freezing temps for an hour and a half at 2am.
"She says she was out there for more than an hour and a half in the interview with me." — John Quinones [17:24]
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[18:20] Nikki denies the affair even when confronted with security footage. Eventually, she hedges—"a kiss could have happened."
"She denied it ever happening. She said it didn't happen." — Deborah Roberts [18:31]
"Yeah she said he wasn't my type. But later she said when she saw the video, well, a kiss could have happened..." — John Quinones [18:33]
7. Reflections and Closing Thoughts
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[18:58] Nikki maintains innocence despite changing stories. Deborah notes the case’s impact on the community and how such stories linger.
"She consistently denies taking part in her husband Chad's murder." — John Quinones [18:58]
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[19:04] John and Deborah extend thanks and close out with reminders of where to watch the full episode.
Notable Quotes & Moments
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John Quinones on reporting in North Dakota cold:
"In December, I had rented a car and I remember I was slipping and sliding all over the place in Bismarck...the days are short there. The nights are terribly long. It's dark all the time." [02:34]
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On the role of the canine detective, Webster:
"This dog, Webster, was also able to pinpoint investigators to a certain type of accelerant that it was placed inside the house where Chad and Nikki lived to start the fire. So he was the key to it all." [09:32]
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On Nikki’s shifting alibi:
"To me, what she told me was that she had been out for a walk between. At two in the morning. Now, mind you, this is Bismarck in the winter, right? Who goes out there to walk in freezing temperatures? She says she was out there for more than an hour and a half in the interview with me." [17:24]
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On manipulation:
"It's pretty clear to me it has been to a lot of people for a long time that she was a bit of a manipulator. She tried to manipulate everyone she could, including us in that interview." — John Quinones [16:58]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:02] — Chilling case overview
- [02:19] — On-location reporting in extreme cold
- [04:34, 05:06] — Frostbite incident
- [07:30] — Crime scene and victim background
- [09:14] — K9 "Webster" detects arson
- [10:35] — Surveillance uncovers affair
- [11:46, 12:34] — Police interrogations and contradictory suspect testimonies
- [13:56] — Sentencing: 25 years for Earl, life for Nikki
- [16:16] — John’s interview with Nikki
- [17:24] — Nikki’s changing story/alibi
- [18:20] — Nikki’s denial of Walmart encounter
Summary
This in-depth After Show provides both the reporting highlights and the human dimension behind "The Last Strike." From the surprising involvement of an accelerant-detecting dog to the unraveling of a supposed perfect marriage, the story starkly exposes the deceptions, small-town shock, and personal hardships of those covering and affected by a tragic murder. John Quinones’ exclusive jailhouse access and Deborah Roberts’ sensitive yet probing approach underscore the complexities of uncovering the truth—even when the facts are buried under a blizzard of lies and frost.