"I'm sorry to tell you, your husband's dead." — Officer
"I'm his partner. That's my gun. I'm sorry. Oh my god." — Dave Sweetman
"If you've ever thought about joining the crime junkie fan club this is your sign because right now your first month will be free on us and I'll let you in on a little secret we've got an exclusive merch drop soon that only fan club members will be able to get in on plus you'll unlock early and ad-free listening and exclusive crime junkie episodes that you won't find anywhere else" — Britt
The episode chronicles the murder of Nick Cordova, co-owner of Gilbert Air, who was killed in his office on May 27, 2020. The initial 911 call, made by his wife Alicia while on FaceTime with him, describes a violent encounter. Upon arrival, police found Nick deceased and his business partner, Dave Sweetman, present. Sweetman's account of the event involved two intruders, a robbery, and his own subsequent head injury, but inconsistencies, particularly regarding money found on his person, immediately raised suspicion.
Surveillance footage from the office partially corroborated Sweetman's story, showing two individuals entering the building and Nick being shot in the lobby. However, the lack of camera coverage in the office where the struggle allegedly occurred, coupled with Sweetman's conflicting statements and previous questionable financial dealings, left Alicia deeply suspicious of his involvement, despite police initially ruling him out as the shooter. The investigation was further complicated by the perceived lack of transparency and thoroughness from the Gilbert Police Department, with Alicia expressing frustration over unanswered questions and redacted case files.
The narrative also delves into the financial background of Gilbert Air, revealing Dave Sweetman's alleged pattern of financial impropriety, including taking substantial amounts of money from the company before Nick's death. Additionally, the episode touches upon the existence of significant life insurance policies taken out on both partners, adding another layer of suspicion around Sweetman's motives. The podcast highlights Alicia's ongoing efforts to seek justice for Nick, including her persistent meetings with detectives and her independent review of surveillance footage, which revealed details not included in official police reports.