New Disturbing Details Emerge Around The Murder Of Sam Nordquist

The Ontario County District Attorney’s Office held a press conference Wednesday, March 5 to reveal more details of the horrific torture that Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old Black transgender man, was forced to endure.

Trigger warning for details of sexual assault and physical abuse.

In one of the most shocking moments of the press conference, prosecutors revealed Precious Arzuaga, Nordquist’s former partner and one of the seven people charged with first-degree murder, forced two children to participate in the torture.

“To have two children participate in the beating of another human being is deeply disturbing,” Kelly Wolford, the Ontario County first assistant district attorney, said. “We have a seven[-year-old] and 12-year-old who are also victims. They may have been forced to participate, but their lives are forever changed by what they saw and endured.”

Prosecutors refused to say how the two children were related to Arzuaga or how long they were involved in the abuse.

In the midst of their ongoing investigation, officials found evidence that Nordquist was repeatedly sexually assaulted and beaten in room 22 of the Patty’s Lodge Motel in Canandaigua, New York. We know that Nordquist left his home in Minnesota last September to visit Arzuaga, who lived in the motel.

The abuse began around January 1 and extended until his death on February 2. Wolford said during that time, he was prevented from using a phone, rendering him unable to call his family for help. Nordquist’s mother, Linda, began expressing concerns about his lack of communication last October, months before officials say the abuse began. According to Linda, Nordquist planned to come home that month, but missed his flight and didn’t return any calls. Linda requested two wellness checks on her son between October and February but believes the police didn’t take her concerns seriously.

“Sam may be alive today if [authorities] would have done their jobs,” Linda told NBC News.

Officials eventually launched a missing persons investigation on Feb. 9 and discovered Nordquist’s remains in Yates County on Feb. 13.

Leading up to his murder, prosecutors say Nordquist was kept physically restrained and in confinement without food or water, forced to eat feces and drink urine. He was repeatedly physically abused with sticks, dog toys, rope, bottles, belts, canes, and wooden boards, according to officials. Wolford also revealed Nordquist had his face covered by towels, was restrained by duct tape, and had bleach poured on him.

This disgusting month-long torture will not go unpunished. All seven defendants — Arzuaga, Emily Jean Motyka, Jennifer A. Quijano, Kyle R. Sage and Patrick A. Goodwin, Kimberly L. Sochia, and Thomas G. Eaves— have been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree conspiracy and endangering the welfare of a child.

Arzuaga, Quijano, Sage, and Goodwin were additionally charged with first-degree aggravated sexual abuse for inserting a foreign object into the anus of Nordquist causing him injury. Six defendants, excluding Eaves, were charged with concealment of a human corpse. Arzuaga was also charged with first-degree coercion in relation to the two children.

Prosecutors say they are no longer looking for a ringleader of the group, as they believe each of the defendants acted together to commit this horrendous act. Wolford added that all seven defendants were known to each other, including romantic relationships and family connections. Prosecutors still say they are not investigating Nordquist’s murder as a hate crime.

“A hate crime would make this charge about Sam’s gender or about Sam’s race, and it’s so much bigger,” Wolford said. “To limit us to a hate crime would be an injustice to Sam.”

The indictment was filed Wednesday morning. Wolford said the arraignment date is expected within the next two weeks. All seven defendants remain in custody.

A GoFundMe to support Nordquist’s family has raised more than $160,000. Donations will go towards travel and lawyer fees as the family prepares to travel back and forth between Minnesota and New York for the trial.