Nicholas “Nick” Cordova was a familiar face in Gilbert, Arizona—a devoted husband, doting father, and ambitious entrepreneur whose warmth and dedication endeared him to family, friends, and customers alike. Born in the mid-1970s, Nick met his future wife Alysha at a family celebration in 2003. Their courtship blossomed into marriage in October 2011, and they welcomed two children: son Cruize in 2012 and daughter Capri in 2015. To those who knew him, Nick was generous with his time and spirit—whether teaching his children bedtime songs, offering a discount to elderly clients, or volunteering at local youth sports events.
In September 2018, Nick seized the opportunity to become co-owner of Gilbert Air, Heating and Cooling. While his partner, David Sweetman, maintained a low profile, Nick steered daily operations—managing technicians, ensuring quality work, and nurturing customer relationships. Reviews praised his integrity: he would often save clients money by correcting unnecessary repairs suggested by competitors. Nick’s dream was to grow the business over five years, sell his share, and retire early to focus on family adventures. Instead, he devoted long hours to the company, driven by the promise of a secured future for his loved ones.
Outside work, Nick was an avid outdoorsman. He organized family camping trips in the high country when pandemic restrictions loosened, and he took pride in finishing home projects—installing a tire swing, customizing a treehouse, and planting a vegetable garden. His home brimmed with photographs capturing moments of laughter, from Cruize’s first soccer goal to Capri’s drawing of her parents holding hands. These memories now underscore the life he cherished and the legacy left behind.
The Fateful Evening: May 27, 2020
On May 27, 2020, the routine of an ordinary workday transformed into harrowing tragedy. At approximately 5:25 p.m., Nick sat at his desk in Gilbert Air’s office—an unassuming building on the corner of Guadalupe and Cooper Roads—on a FaceTime call with his children. Cruize eagerly demonstrated a TikTok trick, giggling into the camera, while Capri waited her turn. Inside their home, Alysha was preparing dinner, comforted by the sight of Nick’s beaming face on her phone screen.
Three minutes later, Capri’s panicked whisper pierced the calm: “Something is wrong with Dad.” The phone clattered to a desk, its camera blinded by white pixels, but the microphone remained live. Alysha heard muffled thumps, as if someone were striking Nick, followed by scuffling footsteps and a piercing yell. At 5:28 p.m., she grabbed her phone, launched 911, and kept the FaceTime call active. Through tears, she reported, “Someone came in and is beating him. I think they have a gun.”…