Getting an update from the police chief about a yearsold unsolved murder wasn’t on the agenda at the Gilbert Town Council meeting on Tuesday. Yet after being summoned by the mayor, the chief spoke of the case while the victim’s widow, mother and other family waited to address the council during time for public comment.
Chief Mike Soelberg said state and federal law enforcement are involved in an active investigation seeking justice for Nick Cordova.
He was shot and killed inside his Gilbert business in 2020.
Soelberg acknowledged the family’s grief in waiting but said there are critical limits to what details he can share.
“And we deeply regret that the necessary restrictions on releasing details may compound frustration. However, every measure we take is to ensure accountability for this devastating loss,” Soelberg said.
Cordova’s wife, mother and other family wore T-shirts with one of his old sayings, FudgeYa.
Widow Alysha Cordova said the case is on its fourth detective, her family has been failed and told council members to intervene.
“You guys oversee the Gilbert Police Department. It is your responsibility to make sure that they do their jobs. That they investigate. That they pursue the truth. And they are not doing that. They have proved their incompetence to do so,” she said.
The department’s competency has been questioned since late 2023 when reports exposed that unchecked teen violence by a group called the "Gilbert Goons" preceded the fatal beating of Preston Lord.
Cordova’s mother, Theresa, responded to the chief’s comments during the Town Council meeting.
“With all due respect to Gilbert PD showing up today and making a statement, words are just words we’ve heard for the last five years,” she said.
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