In this episode of The Hennepin County Stacked Deck, we dive into the revealing conversations between Mrs. X and Sergeant Heath Bird, the lead investigator on the case. Just three days after David’s tragic passing, his father spoke at length with Sergeant Bird, sharing crucial details about David’s mental health, his toxic marriage, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire. However, despite this, Sergeant Bird stood firm in his belief that David locked the door and started the fire himself.

As David's family began uncovering discrepancies in the investigation, they faced a pattern of misrepresentation and misleading information. The falsehoods began at the funeral and only intensified after a meeting with the police on February 28th, twenty days after David's death. We examine the so-called "No Worries Interview," in which Sergeant Bird reassured Ms. X instead of probing her suspicious and contradictory statements.

Through this episode, we also reveal the shocking omissions and failures by law enforcement, including the unlocked door, the open window, the delayed 911 call, and the false reports about David’s supposed weapons. Could this be sloppiness or a deliberate cover-up?

Join us as we explore the troubling evidence, like the supposed "footprint" evidence used to support the suicide theory and the pristine knife that raises even more questions about what truly happened that night.

In this episode, we dive deep into the fire investigation surrounding David’s death. According to Minnesota statutes, the state fire marshal (SFM) must be contacted in any fire-related death to determine the cause and origin of the fire. But when reviewing the SFM’s and Plymouth Fire Department’s (PFD) conclusions, cracks start to appear.

The SFM claims David used the electric stove as the ignition source, but how plausible is that? How could David have thrown a towel on the stove and engulfed himself in flames in mere seconds? Why would he discard a more efficient ignition source—a lighter, which was mentioned multiple times by Ms. X, but was conspicuously absent from the official reports? And why did a Senior HC Attorney reference this missing lighter months after David's death, despite it never being documented?

We examine the bizarre gaps in the fire investigation, like the untouched items around the stove, the pristine oven mitt, and oil spill patterns that suggest the fire’s origin wasn’t even near the stove. Independent fire expert Steve Forren’s analysis challenges the official narrative, pointing to the sink area as the likely origin, where David may have been positioned when oil was poured over him.

We also uncover startling inconsistencies in the way the fire alarms, open windows, and David’s supposed standoff with police were handled. Why was evidence so carelessly—or deliberately—overlooked? Was David really in control of his actions during the fire, or was this a carefully crafted cover-up to obscure what truly happened that night?

Prepare for a hard-hitting breakdown of the fire investigation’s many flaws, as we explore whether this was just another misstep or a deliberate attempt to stack the deck against the truth.

In this episode, we dive deep into the troubling questions surrounding David’s autopsy and the role of the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office. Why did they omit the most compelling forensic evidence—David’s untouched wrists? Was this a case of negligence, or is it part of a broader conspiracy? Despite their thorough removal and examination of David’s organs, two pathologists missed a glaring detail that could have altered the entire investigation. Was this omission an error, or a calculated move to protect the police?

We explore whether David's autopsy was an honest legal attempt to find the truth or a cover-up, questioning if it was more than just a failure—it might constitute mutilation of a corpse. By comparing the robust standards of medical examination with the shocking oversights in David’s case, we challenge the credibility of the autopsy and investigate the larger implications of intentional omissions. Could this conspiracy be rooted deeper within the system than anyone imagines?

In this gripping episode of The Stacked Deck, we delve into what we believe happen the night of February 8th, 2018. After confiding in his parents about his desire to leave his wife and fearing her reaction, David would never have imagined that hours later, he would be engulfed in flames. We explore a logical theory of the events leading up to his untimely death and the potential motives behind them, questioning the role of his wife, "Ms. X." The inconsistencies in her statements and the forensic evidence paint a chilling picture of what may have transpired that night. We also uncover how police and investigators handled the case, examining whether their actions and the following cover-up were part of a much larger conspiracy. This episode is a harrowing account of a family's quest for truth and justice in the face of devastating loss and systemic corruption.

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In this episode of The Hennepin County Stacked Deck, we dive deep into the Hennepin County Attorney's Office (HCAO) and its role in shielding law enforcement from accountability. We explore the intricate web of how the system is stacked with in-house experts, making it nearly impossible for misconduct to be prosecuted. Drawing comparisons to the infamous case of George Floyd, we ask: why does Hennepin County, a place with a population of under 1.3 million, generate such global outrage?

We recount the absurd conclusions HCAO presented about David’s death, alleging self-immolation despite glaring inconsistencies. From ignored critical evidence like open windows on a freezing night to an unexplained second oil pour and a missing ignition source, we unravel the investigative missteps. How can these shallow conclusions stand when the facts tell a far more complex story? This episode exposes the systemic failures that may explain why David’s case was not properly investigated or prosecuted and raises questions about how far this misconduct extends.

Stay tuned as we continue our fight for justice and reveal more shocking evidence in the next episode.

Welcome to The Stacked Deck, a six-part investigative series uncovering the shocking and tragic death of David Elmquist. In this series, we delve into the night David returned home after speaking with his parents about getting a divorce. Hours later, he was found with burns on over 90% of his body and tragically died.

In this episode, we discuss how law enforcement agencies mishandled the case from the beginning, starting with their refusal to rescue David, labeling him a threat based on lies. When the police realized their mistake, they scrambled to cover their tracks, planting evidence and derailing the investigation. We believe systemic corruption across multiple agencies—including the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office—ensured justice was never served.

This story is graphic, disturbing, and heart-wrenching. It’s more than just a case of murder; it's a story of political entanglements, misconduct, and a family's relentless pursuit of the truth. Join us as we expose the overwhelming evidence and demand accountability from those who should be upholding justice.

Listeners are urged to hear this story, sign the petition for justice, and call for a proper investigation.

For ways you can help and more information like case files and crime scene photos visit www.thestackeddeckpodcast.com