Two New Suspects Charged In The Murder Of Sam Nordquist, A Black Trans Man
Authorities say Nordquist was subjected to “prolonged physical and psychological abuse” leading up to his murder.
Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old Black transgender man from Minnesota, was brutally assaulted and abused for weeks before New York State authorities discovered his remains in Yates County on Feb. 13. Now, as the investigation into his murder continues, authorities have uncovered additional suspects.
On Thursday, Feb. 20, officials arrested and charged two new suspects, Kimberly Sochia (29) and Thomas Eaves (21).
Police identified five suspects on Feb. 14: Precious Arzuaga (38), Jennifer A. Quijano (30), Kyle Sage (33), Patrick A. Goodwin (30), and Emily Motyka (19). They have all been charged with second-degree murder with depraved indifference.
“Each suspect could face anywhere from 15 years to life in prison if convicted,” Ontario County District Attorney Jame Ritts said at a news conference on Feb. 14.
Authorities do not believe Nordquist’s murder was a hate crime. The Ontario County district attorney and the New York State Police issued a joint statement on Feb. 16, stating “his assailants were known to each other” and “identified as LGBTQ+.”
Law enforcement officials launched a missing persons investigation for Nordquist on Feb. 9, after his family requested two welfare checks.
According to Nordquist’s mother, Linda, who spoke with NBC News, Nordquist left his home in Minnesota last September to visit his former partner Precious Arzuaga in Canandaigua, New York. Arzuaga is one of seven suspects arrested and charged in the homicide case.
Police searched Patty’s Lodge, the motel where Arzuaga resided, and found evidence that Nordquist was subjected to “ongoing physical abuse between December 2024 and February 2025.”
Linda Nordquist said Sam appeared to be in a happy relationship with Arzuaga before going to visit her at Patty’s. It was supposed to be a short trip, and he planned to return to Minnesota in early October. But when he missed his flight and didn’t answer any calls, she began to worry. She told NBC that she requested the first wellness check at that time, and received a call from her son soon after.
“He didn’t sound like himself,” said Linda, who believed Arzuaga was controlling Sam’s phone usage. “It’s like he was being coached what to say.”
Sam told Linda he planned to stay with Arzuaga to work on their relationship, but Linda said communication with Sam became infrequent. Eventually, Linda and her daughter, Kayla Nordquist, requested a second wellness check on Feb. 9. Linda and Kayla told NBC that their concerns weren’t taken seriously by police.
“Either they didn’t conduct this wellness check because of him being transgender,” Kayla said, “or I’m thinking because he’s transgender people are like, ‘Oh, he’s transgender, which makes him a man so he should man up.'”
“Sam may be alive today if [authorities] would have done their jobs,” Linda said.
Sam’s murder has led to an outpouring of grief from his friends, family, and from within the LGBTQ+ community. It is a deeply unfortunate and stark reminder that trans people, especially BIPOC trans people, face a disproportionate rate of violence. At least 32 transgender and gender nonconforming people were violently killed in 2024, according to The Human Rights Campaign.
In light of this horrific act of violence, NEW Pride Agenda and PFLAG-NY are holding a vigil of remembrance for Sam Nordquist and all the transgender and gender nonconforming people we have lost this year. LGBTQ+ people, allies, and advocates are encouraged to attend to hear words of care and prayers from faith leaders and trans community leaders. The vigil will also host fundraisers for the families of those memorialized.
The vigil will take place Friday, Feb. 21 from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at The Church of the Village at 201 West 13th Street.
The Nordquist family has also set up a GoFundMe to support Linda and her two children, Kayla and Mason, with temporary living expenses as they travel from Minnesota to New York for court appearances.
