Remembering Our Dead

Sam Nordquist

Sam died after being horrifically tortured over an extended period by a group of several people. Reportedly they even coerced two children into toturing Sam.

Seven people were charged in connection with his murder.

Farmington, N.Y. (WHAM) — Five people face murder charges after a transgender man reported missing in Ontario County was found dead in a field in Yates County, apparently after enduring months of torture, according to authorities.

"In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most horrific crimes I have ever investigated," New York State Police Captain Kelly Swift said.

New York State Police said Sam Nordquist, 24, of Oakdale, Minnesota, arrived in New York state in September and was staying at Patty's Lodge in Hopewell. He was last in contact with loved ones in late January and was last seen earlier this month.

Police launched a missing person investigation Sunday after receiving a welfare check request from Nordquist's family. They determined Nordquist had been staying at Patty's Lodge with Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Geneva, and others.

Swift said Nordquist "endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse" and "repeated acts of violence and torture" between early December and early February.

According to a felony complaint, the suspects sexually assaulted Nordquist with a table leg and broomsticks, and beat him with sticks, dog toys, ropes and belts until he died. His body "was then transported in an attempt to conceal the crime".

Swift said police executed a search warrant Thursday inside Apartment 22 at Patty's Lodge. They found Nordquist's body Thursday in a field off Payne Road in the town of Benton.

Arzuaga and four other suspects were arrested and charged with second-degree murder. The five suspects were arraigned overnight and are being held in the Ontario County Jail without bail. District Attorney Jim Ritts said he anticipates grand jury action "very quickly."

"The facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved," Ritts said. "This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been a part of. It is an ongoing investigation, so we are necessarily limited in the things that we can talk about. But no human being should have to endure what Sam endured."

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/family-friends-of-minnesota-transgender-man-killed-in-new-york-state-gather-to-honor-his-life/

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https://13wham.com/news/local/gallery/7-suspects-accused-of-transgender-mans-murder-in-ontario-county-plead-not-guilty-sam-nordquist-missing-minnesota-canandaigua-hopewell-arraignment?photo=3

https://13wham.com/news/local/7-suspects-accused-of-transgender-mans-murder-in-ontario-county-plead-not-guilty-sam-nordquist-missing-minnesota-canandaigua-hopewell-arraignment

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https://www.advocate.com/crime/children-forced-participate-nordquist-torture

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ8gIPl8olI

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgqi5Bh6uUQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRDF0wgG_Mo

Report added: 16 Feb 2025. Last updated: 13 Apr 2025

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