MURDERED: Nick Cordova

Summary of MURDERED: Nick Cordova

by Audiochuck

52m•April 6, 2026
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Overview of MURDERED: Nick Cordova

This Crime Junkie episode (Audiochuck) recounts the May 27, 2020 killing of 40-year-old Nicholas “Nick” Cordova in Gilbert, Arizona, and the subsequent investigation. The episode follows Nick’s wife Alicia, who witnessed parts of the attack via FaceTime, the immediate crime-scene evidence and surveillance, the role and suspicious behavior of Nick’s business partner (Dave Sweetman), gaps and redactions in the police investigation, insurance and financial disputes after the death, and the family’s ongoing push for answers.

Key points & timeline

  • May 27, 2020 (~5:30 PM): While FaceTiming with her children, Alicia hears a commotion and frantic noise; her daughter hands her the iPod and says something happened to their dad at his business (Gilbert Air, suite 13).
  • Alicia drives to the office; sees crime-scene tape and many officers; is told “I’m sorry to tell you, your husband’s dead.”
  • On-scene: officers find Nick shot in the lobby with a pool of blood and a bullet wound to the head/cheek area. Signs of a struggle and multiple bullet holes around the building were reported.
  • Dave Sweetman (Nick’s business partner) initially detained at scene, reportedly handed a bloody handgun to an officer and said, “I’m his partner. That’s my gun. I’m sorry.”
  • Surveillance: office cameras do not cover the office interior where the struggle occurred, but lobby/exterior cameras capture Nick being shot in the lobby and two suspects fleeing in a two-tone red/silver Ford F-150 (older model). External footage shows one suspect (heavyset, ~5'8") stopping at a nearby AM/PM gas station ~2 minutes after the murder; that store footage gives a clear face shot.
  • Police review of surveillance initially led them to not suspect Dave as the shooter; he was released from detention. Investigators stated his “involvement remained unclear.”
  • June 12, 2020: Police release the AM/PM footage to the public seeking ID of the passenger.
  • Over subsequent months and years, much of the investigative file is heavily redacted; Alicia says she was repeatedly stonewalled or left uninformed, and detectives assigned to the case changed often.
  • 2024: Alicia and Dave settle insurance/financial disputes out of court; Gilbert Air closes ≈9 months after Nick’s death. Dave later launches a new business using client lists.
  • March 2025: Alicia is allowed to view surveillance footage at the PD; she points out details she believes are suspicious (e.g., Dave peeking at the truck before the incident, suspects wearing gloves and construction hats).
  • Feb 2026: Arizona Republic reports the AG’s office is reviewing claims Gilbert may have destroyed/withheld police records (not confirmed linked to this case).
  • Case remains unsolved; posted reward up to $20,000.

Evidence, physical scene & surveillance

  • Crime-scene items: Nick’s desk pushed out of place, monitor and items strewn, money found, a bag described as “contraband,” a human tooth in the office, a potato with a gouge (some online speculation but no official claim as silencer), multiple bullet holes in the building.
  • Dave’s desk: drawer open; empty handgun case and empty magazine found.
  • Video evidence:
    • Interior office cameras did not capture the struggle area; lobby and exterior cameras captured Nick running into the lobby and being shot in the back of the head (execution-style) in view of a camera.
    • Exterior footage shows the two suspects leaving in a red/silver Ford F-150 with no front plate. AM/PM footage (2–3 minutes after the shooting) provides a strong face image of one suspect.
  • Forensics: police file (unredacted portion) says DNA profiles on tested evidence belonged only to Nick or Dave. Other lab, firearm testing, and autopsy results are redacted or not released to Alicia/public.

Suspects & persons of interest

  • Two masked men (seen in office footage wearing green shirts/COVID masks and construction hats) who entered the office, allegedly using an empty Freon box to conceal a gun. One is heavier-set (the man with the clear AM/PM face shot), the other taller/slender.
  • Red/silver Ford F-150: older extended-cab model; last seen driving northbound.
  • Dave Sweetman (business partner):
    • Found handing a bloody gun at the door and detained; later Mirandized and interviewed.
    • Gave inconsistent statements (claimed to have given intruders all his money; pat-down found >$1,000; later said only front-right pocket money was given).
    • Had motive possibilities alleged by Alicia: prior withdrawals from company accounts ($30,000 then $15,000); reportedly had tried to get co-owner to take life insurance on partners; alleged pressure about money and arguments with Nick in days prior.
    • Not charged; police said surveillance showed he wasn’t the shooter, though his broader involvement was “unclear.”
  • Alicia strongly suspects Dave and repeatedly flagged concerns to police.

Financial & insurance issues

  • Alicia discovered life-insurance paperwork and two policies that combined (according to her documents/emails) could have significant payouts; later she was told of an $8 million total payout figure (she was shocked).
  • Shortly after the shooting, documents appeared to be filed/“signed” she never signed—Alicia suspects forgery; she filed a police report alleging Dave forged her signature; police said not enough evidence to charge.
  • Legal battle over insurance payouts ensued; final settlement reached out-of-court in 2024 with undisclosed payouts to both parties.
  • Gilbert Air closed about nine months after Nick’s death; Dave started a new business (Arizona Family Air) using the former client list.

Investigative gaps, redactions & concerns

  • Large portions of the police file (>200 pages) redacted; Alicia has not received autopsy reports or clear firearm test results.
  • Police originally said Dave wasn’t the shooter after surveillance review, but several questions remained unanswered: the $45,000 taken from company accounts prior to the killing; who signed/forged the insurance documents; why Dave was acting strangely before the shooting (peeking at the truck); the wheelhouse of forensic testing results.
  • Detectives changed multiple times; Alicia was briefly given hope after a detective showed her a PowerPoint, then was told that detective was moved from the case.
  • Public records access and alleged withholding/destruction of police records in Gilbert prompted an Arizona Attorney General review (as of reporting, not tied specifically to this case).
  • No public identification (or arrest) of the two suspects captured on video.

Victim & family response

  • Alicia witnessed part of the attack via FaceTime and became the case’s primary advocate for investigation and public pressure.
  • She repeatedly pushed police for footage and details; hired a lawyer to force viewing of videos (granted March 2025).
  • Filed a police report about alleged forgery, pursued civil/insurance claims, and continues to publicize the case (press, TikTok, interviews) to keep attention on the investigation.
  • Family remained at the scene overnight until Nick was removed; they have felt frustrated by police communication and the many redactions.

Unresolved questions & takeaways

  • Who are the two men who entered and shot Nick? The AM/PM footage provides a clear face, but no public ID/arrest has been made.
  • Was Dave involved beyond being a partner at the scene? Why was he peeking at the truck moments before Nick was shot, and why did he have undisclosed cash?
  • What happened to the substantial life-insurance proceeds and the missing company funds (reported withdrawals of $30k and $15k)?
  • Why are key forensic pieces (autopsy, firearm ballistics, lab tests) redacted or not released publicly?
  • Why weren’t certain interior cameras installed/functional in the office area where the altercation occurred?
  • The case illustrates how investigative transparency, record retention, and consistent detective assignment matter in high-profile unsolved homicides.

Notable quotes (from episode)

  • Officer to Alicia: “I’m sorry to tell you, your husband’s dead.”
  • Dave at the door: “I’m his partner. That’s my gun. I’m sorry.”
  • Alicia (initial reaction): “Where’s Dave? He probably had something to do with this.”

How to help / call to action

  • If you have information about the May 27, 2020 death of Nicholas Cordova in Gilbert, AZ:
    • Gilbert Police Department: 480-503-6500
    • Silent Witness (anonymous): 480-948-6377
    • Crime Junkie tips: tips@audiochuck.com
  • Posted reward for information: up to $20,000
  • Episode notes/source material: crimejunkie.com (episode page includes sources used by the show).

What’s next / follow-up

  • Crime Junkie teases a related story: the 2013 death of Laura Sweetman (Dave’s wife), which the producers say bears investigation and will be covered in a following episode (or immediately for fan-club members).
  • The Arizona Attorney General review regarding Gilbert PD record-handling may have implications for this and other local unsolved cases.

Sources: this episode of Crime Junkie (“MURDERED: Nick Cordova”) and the police/investigative details referenced therein (many case files heavily redacted).