A major case has surfaced in New York, in which five individuals are now under custody for their alleged involvement in the horrific case of a transgender man’s disappearance and eventual murder. The victim, known as Sam Nordquist, was only 24 years old; originally hailing from Minnesota, the circumstances leading up to his untimely death are still being investigated. The New York State law enforcement bodies became involved in the case on February 9, having initiated a missing person investigation in the wake of a welfare check requested by Nordquist’s concerned family.
On February 13, just a few days after the initial investigation began, law enforcement found what they believe to be Nordquist’s remains in a secluded field situated in Yates County. This location sits approximately 50 miles to the southeast of Rochester, New York. Following this grim discovery, further scrutiny and investigation led the authorities to unearth distressing evidence and indications linking to the case.
One chilling revelation is that Nordquist had been a victim of relentless physical abuse, which allegedly transpired over an extended period spanning from December 2024 to February 2025. This finding suggested a disturbing plot that was carried out over months, wherein Nordquist was tortured before his life was eventually taken. To further compound the horror, the evidence indicates that the murderers attempted to relocate his body in a doomed effort to hide their heinous act.
Five individuals, whose ages range between 19 and 38, have since been apprehended by the authorities in connection to this hideous crime. They currently stand accused of second-degree murder, demonstrating depraved indifference towards life. These suspects comprise of Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; and the youngest, Emily Motyka, who is only 19.
While these individuals are in custody, the investigative team is continuing to dig deeper to fully understand the nature of the relationships between Nordquist and these five suspects. The dynamic between the victim and his alleged torturers is not well-defined as of now, and the investigators are working tirelessly to piece together the enigma that is this tragic story.
Following their arrest and subsequent charges, the five suspects were formally arraigned and are currently detained at the Ontario County Jail without a possibility of bail. The charges they face are grave, and if found guilty, each one of them could serve a sentence ranging anywhere between 15 years to a life term.
In a heart-wrenching statement, Linda Nordquist, Sam’s mother, mentioned that her son ‘had a heart of gold and wouldn’t hurt anybody’. The portrayal of Sam as a kind-hearted individual who posed harm to no one doubles the tragedy in this story. His passion for animals and his work at a residence catering to vulnerable adults painted a picture of a young man committed to serving others.
Sam lived with his mother in Oakdale, Minnesota and had resolved to embark on a journey to New York in September for the purpose of meeting an ‘online girlfriend’. Such revelation was mentioned in a GoFundMe campaign, which was verified and established by his family. His journey to New York, which started with hopeful expectation, took an unthinkable turn when he disappeared and contact was lost with him after January 1.
The procedures to formally identify the cause of Sam’s death are underway. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office is responsible for performing an autopsy to determine the exact nature and cause of Sam’s untimely demise. This procedure will certainly reveal more details about the cruel circumstances of his death.
The law enforcement agencies involved in the case haven’t excluded the possibility of categorizing the murder as a hate crime, which would add another dark layer to this already tragic story. More so, there remains an open question about possible additional arrests as the exhaustive investigation continues to unfold.
In the year 2023, the reported number of homicides involving victims identified as ‘transgender or gender-expansive people’ stood at 35 people. These statistics offer a sobering reminder of the unique challenges this community continues to face, and the importance of our societal response and support.
Several officials from the Rochester City Council made a point to express their sincere condolences to Nordquist’s family during this time of unfathomable grief. In a collective news release, they affirmed solidarity with the transgender community, expressing their shared sorrow and offering their steadfast support.
This tragic incident has cast a spotlight on the dire reality facing the transgender community and the urgent need to bolster societal understanding and acceptance. As we grapple with such news, it is essential to remember Sam Nordquist as a man with a golden heart and a love for helping vulnerable individuals – not just a victim of a heinous crime.
As the investigation unfolds, we are reminded that this is not just a tale of loss and cruel fate, but a reflection of a society that still has a long way to go to ensure safety and justice for everyone, regardless of their gender identity. It is a call to action for us to fight against violence, hate, and discrimination, so that nobody has to suffer the way Sam Nordquist did.