"She'd Go Ballistic" | The Suspicious Death of David Elmquist
Crime Salad
04/19/26
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⚠️ Listener Discretion is Advised: The following episode contains intense and explicit descriptions of domestic violence, suicide, and a highly traumatic death involving fire. The information presented is based on publicly available records, family statements, and alleged accounts. This podcast is for informational purposes only. We are not law enforcement, legal professionals, or medical experts, and we are not accusing anyone of any crimes.
On February 8, 2018, in the freezing cold of Plymouth, Minnesota, 24-year-old David Elmquist was burning alive inside his apartment. His death was ruled a suicide before he was even officially pronounced dead. But for the last six years, his family has fought tirelessly to prove that the official story doesn't add up.
With reports of perfectly unburned wrists on a body covered in severe burns, a pristine knife found in a soot-filled room, shifting timelines, and a tragic 38-minute standoff where police waited outside the burning apartment, the physical evidence points to something much darker. Furthermore, just hours before his death, David confided in his parents that he was planning to leave his wife, warning them that if he told her, "she'd go ballistic."
In this episode, we unpack the glaring inconsistencies, the alleged forensic bias, the mental health stigma that clouded the investigation, and a father’s relentless fight for justice.
Call to Action & Resources:
- Listen to The Stacked Deck Podcast: Hear the six-part series directly from David’s father, Scott, detailing the entire case https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stacked-deck/id1767907803
- Support the Family: Follow the Truth and Justice for David Elmquist Facebook page and sign the petition demanding an independent prosecutor. Sign the Petition
Support Crime Salad:
Merch: Grab your gear at https://crimesaladpodcast.dashery.com/
Patreon: Listen ad-free and get exclusive content at patreon.com/crimesaladpodcast
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Previous Episode
In November 2025, 18-year-old Anna Kepner boarded the Carnival Horizon cruise ship with her family for a six-night Caribbean vacation. On the final sea day, she was found dead, hidden under her bed inside her own cabin. Surveillance footage reportedly showed only one person entering and leaving the stateroom during that window: her 16-year-old stepbrother.
The FBI took over the investigation, and federal homicide charges were eventually filed against the minor suspect. But as the legal process unfolded, court filings, leaked messages, and accusations from family members revealed a much more complicated picture of what was happening inside that household long before anyone boarded that ship.
In this episode, Ashley and Ricky break down the full timeline of Anna Kepner's case. The family cruise, the discovery, the cause of death, the suspect's mental health history and missed medication, the explosive custody battle between the parents, the social media firestorm, and the questions that still have no answers.
Anna was a diver, a cheerleader, a Georgia Bulldogs fan, and an aspiring Navy recruit and K-9 officer from Titusville, Florida. She was 18 years old with her whole life ahead of her. She deserves to be remembered for who she was.
Content Warning: This episode discusses violence, domestic abuse, and the death of a young person.
If you have information related to this case, contact the FBI Miami Field Office or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov
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Next Episode
Head to https://www.tryfum.com/SALAD to get your free gift with purchase, and start The Good Habit today!
⚠️ Listener Discretion is Advised: The following episode contains intense and explicit descriptions of domestic violence, suicide, and a highly traumatic death involving fire. The information presented is based on publicly available records, family statements, and alleged accounts. This podcast is for informational purposes only. We are not law enforcement, legal professionals, or medical experts, and we are not accusing anyone of any crimes.
On February 8, 2018, in the freezing cold of Plymouth, Minnesota, 24-year-old David Elmquist was burning alive inside his apartment. His death was ruled a suicide before he was even officially pronounced dead. But for the last six years, his family has fought tirelessly to prove that the official story doesn't add up.
With reports of perfectly unburned wrists on a body covered in severe burns, a pristine knife found in a soot-filled room, shifting timelines, and a tragic 38-minute standoff where police waited outside the burning apartment, the physical evidence points to something much darker. Furthermore, just hours before his death, David confided in his parents that he was planning to leave his wife, warning them that if he told her, "she'd go ballistic."
In this episode, we unpack the glaring inconsistencies, the alleged forensic bias, the mental health stigma that clouded the investigation, and a father’s relentless fight for justice.
Call to Action & Resources:
- Listen to The Stacked Deck Podcast: Hear the six-part series directly from David’s father, Scott, detailing the entire case.https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-stacked-deck/id1767907803
- Support the Family: Follow the Truth and Justice for David Elmquist Facebook page and sign the petition demanding an independent prosecutor. Sign the Petition
Support Crime Salad:
- Merch: Grab your gear at https://crimesaladpodcast.dashery.com/
- Patreon: Listen ad-free and get exclusive content at patreon.com/crimesaladpodcast
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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