Five people have been arrested and charged in New York in connection with the disappearance and death of a 24-year-old Minnesota transgender man who was reported missing last week. PER CNN, New York State Police launched a missing persons investigation for Sam Nordquist, 24, on February 9, following a welfare check request from his family.
On Thursday, February 13 , investigators discovered human remains, believed to be those of Nordquist, in a field off Payne Road in Yates County, New York (about 50 miles south of Rochester.) Troopers assigned to the State Police post in Canandaigua determined Nordquist had been staying with suspect Precious Arzuaga, 38, and others at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell, N.Y.
Investigators found evidence that Nordquist endured “ongoing physical abuse” from December 2024 to February 2025, including being beaten with sticks, ropes, dog toys, canes and belts and was assaulted with a broomstick and a table leg for weeks before dying, court documents indicate.
Lynnea Crane, spokesperson for the New York State Police, said that the case is being investigated as a homicide, adding that evidence points to the fact that Nordquist was the “victim of a criminal act.” Capt. Kelly Swift with the New York State Police said at the news conference that they have not ruled out the possibility of this case being a hate crime; she said at a press conference: “Sam was subjected to repeated acts of violence and torture in a manner that ultimately led to his tragic death. His body was moved in an attempt to conceal the crime.” Swift noted that Nordquist faced both “prolonged physical and psychological abuse at the hands of multiple individuals,” and described the case as “one of the most horrific crimes” she has ever investigated in her 20-year law enforcement career.
Police identified the five suspects as Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19 – — all from New York. All five suspects were charged with second degree murder with depraved indifference, according to the state police release, and were arraigned and remanded to the Ontario County Jail on Friday. James Ritts, District Attorney for Ontario County, said that the suspects are being held without bail and noted that a date for a preliminary hearing has been set and that he expects “grand jury action very quickly.”
Rochester city council members Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin and Kim Smith expressed their support and condolences for Nordquist’s family in a news release shared to social media: “We mourn the loss of Sam Nordquist, a Trans man whose life was taken in a horrific act of violence. Our hearts are with Sam’s family, friends and loved ones. No family should have to endure such a loss—we send them our deepest condolences and unwavering support … Every person deserves to live with dignity, safety, and the freedom to be themselves without fear. To our Transgender and LGBTQIA+ neighbors—we see you, we grieve with you, and we stand with you in love and solidarity … Our Trans and LGBTQIA+ residents are, and have always been, integral to the fabric of our communities. We reaffirm our commitment to protecting Trans rights, ensuring safety for all and wish to make clear that you belong—fully, openly, and without fear.”
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