Family, supporters press Gilbert Police for answers five years after killing of business owner Nicholas Cordova

Family members and supporters of Nicholas (Nick) Cordova addressed the Town Council during the public‑comment period on March 25, urging renewed investigative urgency and public accountability five years after the unsolved killing of the Gilbert business owner.

Nick Cordova was shot and killed on May 27, 2020 while in his Gilbert business, Gilbert Air, at 511 West Guadalupe, the family said. Several relatives and friends said the case has left the family without closure and asked the council to use its oversight role to press the Gilbert Police Department (GPD) for more action and transparency. "Five years is too long," said Justin Brook, a cousin; "His family needs closure," he said. Teresa Cordova, Nick’s mother, told the council, "My child's life, Nick, matters."

Alicia Cordova, the victim’s widow, spoke at length about repeated delays and the family’s difficulty obtaining updates and investigative materials; she asked the council to order an internal review of the case and to ensure detectives pursue outstanding leads. "The lack of care, communication and urgency is unacceptable," she said.

Police Chief Mike Silver addressed the meeting at the council’s request. Silver said the department has dedicated "extensive efforts to pursuing all leads and collaborating with state and federal agencies to hold those responsible for his death accountable." He acknowledged that five years of limited public updates has been painful for the family and said there are "critical limitations on what we can share publicly at this time" because releases could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation or future prosecutions. "Justice for Nicholas Cordova maintains our unwavering priority," Silver said.

Family members said they appreciate the department’s participation but asked the council to require a more actively supervised review and clearer communication pathways between detectives and the family. Several speakers asked the council to apply oversight to ensure the case is not deprioritized.

Ending: The council heard the family's appeals and Chief Silver’s public statement reaffirming investigative commitment. The council did not announce any specific new investigative action during the meeting; family members asked the council to pursue an internal review and clearer, regular communications from the department.