Five people in New York state have been charged with torture murder of. a transgender Minnesota man who disappeared earlier this month.
The body of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old, was discovered in a field after he was reported missing on February 9, according to The Associated Press. New York State Police Major Kevin Sucher described the events surrounding Nordquist as extremely heinous and labeled it as the most distressing investigation he had ever been involved in.
“No human being should have to endure what Sam endured,” Sucher said.
Five individuals, all residents of New York, were taken into custody in connection with the crime. They were identified as Precious Arzuaga (38), Patrick Goodwin (30), Kyle Sage (33), Jennifer Quijano (30), and Emily Motyka (19. They have all been charged with second-degree murder.
Investigators revealed that Nordquist had relocated from Minnesota to New York in September. His last communication with family and friends in Minnesota was in late January, and he was last seen in early February, as reported by WHAM.
Police said the five suspects are charged with violently torturing Nordquist for more than a month before killing him.
A criminal complaint says the suspects sexually assaulted Nordquist with a table leg and broomsticks and beat him with sticks, dog toys, ropes, and belts.
The five were arrested after police conducted a search of a room at Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua, the last place Nordquist was known to be staying.
State Police Capt. Kelly Swift said detectives had not decided whether to charge the suspects with a hate crime, saying the investigation was still ongoing. She said investigators had unveiled a “deeply disturbing pattern of abuse” and said it was “one of the most horrific crimes” she has ever seen.
The suspects are being held without bond.
