Sam Nordquist Death; Man missing in Canandaigua tortured and killed; Five people charged
According to New York State Police, a 24-year-old man was subjected to repeated torture for a month prior to his death, and five people are now being charged with murder.
The body of transgender man Sam Nordquist was discovered by troopers in a field off Payne Road in Yates County. Whether the victim’s transgender identity contributed to his murder has not been disclosed by investigators. After his family lost contact with him, he was last seen in Canandaigua and was reported missing in early February. Last September, Nordquist, a native of Minnesota, visited the Finger Lakes region.
Captain Kelly Swift of the NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations stated during a press conference on Friday that Nordquist suffered from “prolonged physical and physiological abuse” beginning in December.
Michelle Pickard, a family friend, was at Friday’s press conference while the family traveled from Minnesota. “It’s disgusting the things that are out there. I just pray for Sam. I pray for her family and her friends.”
The last known place Nordquist was staying was Patty’s Lodge Motel, according to troopers. Troopers were searching the Canandaigua or Geneva regions for him. According to troopers, these individuals are accused of second-degree murder:
38-year-old Precious Arzuaga of Canandaigua
33-year-old Kyle Sage from Rochester
Geneva resident Jennifer Quijano, 30
30-year-old Patrick Goodwin of Canandaigua
Lima resident Emily Motyka, 19,
Troopers are still looking into the murder and are requesting that anyone with information contact them by email at crimetip@troopers.ny.gov or by calling (585)-398-4100.
