No evidence of hate crime in 'torture' killing of transgender man in upstate New York: Investigators

Investigators probing what they described as the torturous killing of a 24-year-old transgender man in upstate New York, allegedly at the hands of five people, say they have found no evidence that the homicide was a hate crime.

The remains of the victim, identified as 24-year-old Sam Nordquist of Minnesota, were discovered on Wednesday in a field in Benton, New York, in Yates County, according to Capt. Kelly Swift, a New York State Police investigator.

Swift said investigators suspect that Nordquist was tortured and killed in neighboring Ontario County and moved "in an attempt to conceal a crime."

"Based on evidence and witness statements, we have determined that Sam endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse at the hands of multiple individuals," Swift said Friday during a news conference.

A criminal complaint obtained by Rochester, New York, ABC affiliate WHAM alleged that the suspects sexually assaulted Nordquist with a "table leg and broomstick." The complaint further alleges that the suspects subjected Nordquist to "prolonged beatings by punching, kicking and striking [Nordquist] with numerous objects, including but not limited to sticks, dog toys, rope, bottles, belts, canes and wooden boards."

According to the complaint, the torture allegedly took place in room 22 at Patty's Lodge in Hopewell, New York, in Ontario County between Jan. 1 and Feb. 2.

Swift said investigators executed a search warrant at the hotel on Thursday, specifically searching room 22 for evidence.

"In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most horrific crimes I have ever investigated," Swift added. "My thoughts are with Sam's family during this time."

Suspects charged with murder

The suspects arrested in the case were identified by Swift as Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Canandaigua, New York; Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva, New York; Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester, New York; Patrick Goodwin, 30, also of Canandaigua; and Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima, New York.

Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts said all five suspects have all been charged with second-degree murder under the state's depraved indifference statute. He said the suspects have been arraigned and are being held without bail at the Ontario County Jail.

It was unclear if the suspects had hired or were appointed attorneys to represent them.

No indication of a hate crime

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the state police and Ritts addressed whether investigators are pursuing hate crime charges against the suspects.

"At this time we have no indication that Sam's murder was a hate crime," the joint statement reads. "To help alleviate the understandable concern his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and 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."

Authorities said they released the information after getting "multiple inquiries from across our community, New York State and the entire nation."

In the statement, officials noted that under the New York State penal code, a hate crime is defined as an offense committed "in whole or in substantial part because of a belief or perception regarding the race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual orientation of a person regardless of whether the belief or perception is correct."

"We are still in the early stages of this investigation," the joint statement reads. "While significant evidence has been obtained, we are continuing to follow up on leads brought to State Police. We urge the community not to speculate into the motive behind the murder as we work to find justice for Sam."

Governor described the killing as 'sickening'

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement released Sunday that she had directed the State Police to provide any support and resources to Ritts' office "as they continue their investigation, including into whether this was a hate crime." The statement further said that Hochul had directed the New York State Division of Human Rights Hate and Bias Prevention Unit to offer assistance and support "to all community members affected by this terrible act of violence," adding, "There must be justice for Sam Nordquist."

Hochul also said that she had instructed the New York State Office of Victim Services to offer support to Nordquist's family.

"The charges against these individuals are sickening and all New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act," Hochul said in the statement. "We are praying for Sam Nordquist’s family, community and loved ones who are experiencing unimaginable grief."

'Beyond depraved'

"The facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved," Ritts said Friday during the press conference. "This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been part of. No human being should have to endure what Sam endured."

Nordquist's family filed a missing person report with the Canandaigua Police Department on Feb. 9, after last hearing from Nordquist on Jan. 1, according to a missing-person flyer issued by the Missing People in America organization.

According to the flyer, Nordquist's family said he left Minnesota on Sept. 28, 2024, with a round-trip plane ticket to New York. The family, according to the flyer, alleged that he met a woman online who convinced him to visit her.

The family, according to the flyer, claimed Nordquist was planning to fly back to Minnesota within two weeks, but never boarded his return flight.

"I don't understand why someone would do that to another person," Kayla Nordquist, Sam's sister, told Saint Paul, Minnesota, ABC affiliate KSTP. "Sam was amazing and would give the shirt off his back to anyone."

When asked Friday about the missing-person flyer, Swift declined to comment.

Swift would not disclose details of the abuse, saying the investigation is in its early stages. However, she said, Nordquist was "subjected to repeated acts of violence and torture in a manner that ultimately led to his death."

Swift said more arrests were possible and asked anyone with information about the crime to contact state police investigators.

Ritts said he anticipates a grand jury will take action in the case "very quickly."

Multiple vigils for Nordquist are being scheduled this week in several states, including one Monday evening at the Wood Library in Canandaigua, New York, according to Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, which is hosting the event. Two other vigils are planned for Monday night in Nordquist's home state of Minnesota, including one outside the Minnesota State Capitol building in Saint Paul.

On Tuesday evening, vigils are scheduled to take place at the Phelps Arts Center in Phelps, New York, and at The Presbyterian Church in Geneva, New York. On Thursday, a vigil is scheduled to take place on the Main Plaza in downtown New Braunfels, Texas, about 30 miles northeast of San Antonio.

ABC News' Sabina Ghebremedhin and Andrea Pineda-Salgado contributed to this report.