MURDERED: Nick Cordova
In May 2020, Nick Cordova was shot in the head while on FaceTime with his children. Suspicion initially focused on one man, but surveillance video showed he was not the shooter. Nearly six years later, Cordova’s family is still pleading for answers.
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Nick Cordova
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Nick Cordova
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Nick Cordova
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Nick and his wife, Alysha Cordova
Source: Alysha Cordova / Facebook
Alysha and Nick on their wedding day
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
The Cordova Family
Courtesy: The Fine Photo Co.
The Cordova Family
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
The Cordova family in front of Gilbert Air
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Nick at his desk in Gilbert Air
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Dave Sweetman
Source: Facebook
Nick with his children
Courtesy: Alysha Cordova
Dave Sweetman Mugshot from 2013
Source: Maricopa Police Department
Laura Sweetman
Source: In Honor of Laura Sweetman / Facebook
The assailant’s truck on security footage
Source: Alysha Cordova
A reward poster with the photo of a suspect.
Source: Silent Witness
Timeline:
Nick Cordova buys into Gilbert Air, becoming co-owner with Dave Sweetman.
Dave withdraws $30,000 from the company account.
Dave withdraws an additional $15,000 from the company account without repayment.
Nick returns from a family camping trip and decides to take an extra day off work.
5:30 p.m.
Capri Cordova tells Alysha something is wrong during a FaceTime call with Nick. Alysha calls 911.
5:31 p.m.
Two suspects flee the scene in a red and silver Ford F-150.
5:33 p.m.
A suspect enters an ampm gas station and is captured clearly on surveillance.
5:50 p.m.
Alysha arrives at Gilbert Air and sees police already on scene.
Gilbert Police release surveillance images of a suspect captured at a gas station.
Lab results show DNA belonging only to Nick and Dave.
Police conduct follow-up interviews with Dave and his girlfriend.
Alysha and Dave reach an out-of-court settlement related to insurance payouts.
Alysha reviews surveillance footage and notices details not included in police reports.
The Arizona Attorney General begins reviewing allegations that Gilbert police withheld or destroyed records.
Gilbert Air
The office where Nick Cordova was shot and killed.
ampm
The gas station where surveillance captured a suspect minutes after the shooting.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Where Alysha called 911 from.
Gilbert Police Department
The agency investigating Nick Cordova’s case.
Please contact the authorities if you have any information about the case:
Gilbert Police Department
If you have any information about the death of Nicholas “Nick” Cordova in Gilbert, Arizona, contact the Gilbert Police Department at 480-503-6500.
Silent Witness
To remain anonymous, reach out to Silent Witness at 480-948-6377.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Nicole Kagan*
- ABC15 Arizona. “Gilbert Police Searching for May 27 Homicide Suspect.” ABC15 Arizona, 12 June 2020, www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/gilbert/gilbert-police-searching-for-may-27-homicide-suspect.
- Hofmann, Chelsea. “Police Searching for Two Suspects in Killing at Gilbert Business.” The Arizona Republic, The Arizona Republic, 13 June 2020, www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/gilbert-breaking/2020/06/12/police-searching-two-suspects-murder-gilbert-business-may-27/3180140001/.
- Scottsdale Progress. “Police Seek Help in Probing Scottsdale Man’s Slaying.” Scottsdale Progress, 23 June 2020, www.scottsdale.org/city_news/police-seek-help-in-probing-scottsdale-man-s-slaying/article_f5b0953c-b266-11ea-9211-db989884ddf5.html.
- Lum, Justin. “Who Killed Nick Cordova? Father’s Murder Heard over FaceTime Remains Unsolved by Gilbert PD.” FOX 10 Phoenix, 10 Sept. 2024, www.fox10phoenix.com/news/who-killed-nick-cordova-fathers-murder-heard-over-facetime-remains-unsolved-gilbert-pd.
*Some portions of Alysha Cordova’s 911 call were cut down for time and clarity.
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