Sam Nordquist, 24, endured over a month of torture before being killed, according to a police statement released on Feb. 14. Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to New York on Sept. 28, 2024, intending to meet his online girlfriend, Precious Arzuaga, and return after two weeks. However, his family lost contact with him after Jan. 1, 2025, and described his recent communications as “not like himself.”
His mother stated that the family had requested multiple wellness checks leading up to his disappearance, but the police did not respond. She also mentioned an email from Ontario County Social Services in December, which showed that Nordquist had not returned to their office after discussing the need for an “escape plan.”
Nordquist had been missing since December 2024. On Feb. 9, after his family reported him missing to the Canandaigua Police, the New York State Police conducted a wellness check. They searched a room at Patty’s Lodge Motel in Hopewell, Ontario County, where Nordquist had reportedly been staying with one or more suspects, and uncovered evidence of abuse.
Seven suspects have been brought into custody following the death of Nordquist. Suspects include Precious Arzuaga, Jennifer Brooklyn Quijano, Patrick Goodwin, Kyle Sage, Emily Motyka, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves.
On Feb. 13, human remains believed to be those of Nordquist were discovered in a field in Yates County, about 50 miles southeast of Rochester. Authorities said the body had been moved to cover up the crime. Captain Swift called the case “one of the most horrific crimes” she had encountered during her law enforcement career.
The Ontario County District Attorney released a statement confirming that the investigation is still underway and that there is no evidence to suggest the killing was a hate crime. The statement noted, “his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+ and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense.” The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office is set to perform an autopsy.
Vigils were held in memory of Nordquist, including one in Red Wing, MN, where he had attended high school, and another at a public library in Canandaigua, NY. Additionally, the POCI Caucus and Queer Caucus of the Minnesota House of Representatives expressed their solidarity with Nordquist’s family and organized a vigil at the Minnesota State Capitol.
