New York State Police have arrested five individuals in connection with the disappearance and death of a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota, authorities said. The victim, identified as Sam Nordquist, was reported missing earlier this week.
The investigation began Sunday after police received a welfare check request from Nordquist’s family. Officials confirmed Thursday that human remains believed to be those of Nordquist were discovered in a field in Yates County, New York, approximately 50 miles south of Rochester.
Provided by Kayla Nordquist
The case is being treated as a homicide, with evidence suggesting Nordquist was the victim of a criminal act, according to Lynnea Crane, a spokesperson for the New York State Police. During a press conference on Friday, Crane said that authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the case could be a hate crime.
“Our investigation has revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately resulted in Sam’s tragic death,” said Capt. Kelly Swift of the New York State Police. Swift, who has served in law enforcement for over two decades, described the crime as “one of the most horrific” she had ever encountered.
Investigators indicated that Nordquist endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse at the hands of multiple individuals, though specific details have not been released due to the ongoing investigation.
Authorities learned that Nordquist had been staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell, New York, with one of the suspects. According to police, evidence suggests that Nordquist was subjected to continuous physical abuse between December 2024 and February 2025.
The five suspects arrested in connection with the case are identified as Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19. All have been charged with second-degree murder with depraved indifference. The suspects were arraigned and remanded to the Ontario County Jail on Friday.
Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts confirmed that the suspects are being held without bail. He also stated that a preliminary hearing is scheduled, and he anticipates grand jury action in the near future.
The relationship between the suspects and Nordquist is still under investigation. Police indicated that Nordquist’s body was transported to Yates County in an attempt to conceal the crime. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Nordquist, originally from Minnesota, had last been in contact with his family at the end of January. He had traveled to New York in September 2024 and was last seen in early February. Investigators executed multiple search warrants at Patty’s Lodge during the investigation.
Police described the circumstances surrounding Nordquist’s death as “beyond depraved,” with Ritts calling it the worst homicide investigation his office has ever handled. “No human being should have to endure what Sam endured,” he said during a press conference on Friday.
Several members of the Rochester City Council expressed their condolences to Nordquist’s family and affirmed their commitment to supporting the transgender and LGBTQIA+ community. “Our Trans and LGBTQIA+ residents are, and have always been, integral to the fabric of our communities,” the council members stated. “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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The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to search for answers in this tragic case.
