Five Charged with Murder in Torture and Death of Sam Nordquist
CANANDAIGUA, NY – In a shocking turn of events, New York State Police have apprehended and charged five individuals with second-degree murder in connection to the death of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man [2]. The grim finding follows a missing person report filed on February 9th, after Nordquist, originally from Minnesota, had lost contact with his family after arriving in New York in September [2].
The suspects, Precious Arzuaga, 38, and Patrick Goodwin, 30, both of Canandaigua, New York; Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester, New York; Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva, New York; and Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima, New York, are all in police custody awaiting arraignment [2]. It remains unclear if any of the accused have legal representation [2].
The investigation took a crucial turn when police searched a room at patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua on Thursday, the last known location where Nordquist had been staying [2]. Authorities allege that Nordquist was subjected to “repeated acts of violence and torture for more than a month by multiple individuals who later discarded his body in a field” [2].
Major Kevin Sucher, commander of the state police troop overseeing the Finger Lakes region, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating the circumstances were “beyond depraved” and “by far the worst” homicide investigation his office has encountered [2]. He somberly added during a televised news conference, ”No human being should have to endure what Sam endured” [2]. Due to the ongoing investigation, specific details of the case are being withheld [2].
Capt. kelly Swift of the New York state Police Troop E’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation addressed the question of whether the crime could be classified as a hate crime, stating that police “hadn’t ruled it out” but emphasized that “the investigation was continuing” [2]. Investigators are currently working to ascertain the relationships between Nordquist and the suspects, as well as the connections among the suspects themselves [2].
Swift described the investigation as revealing a “deeply disturbing pattern of abuse” that led to Nordquist’s death, calling it “one of the most horrific crimes” she has investigated in her 20-year career [2]. The community is urged to come forward with any details that might aid in this ongoing investigation.