UPDATE:
Five people have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Sam Nordquist, a Minnesota resident who traveled to the Finger Lakes last September and hasn’t had contact with their family since the end of last month.
38-year-old Precious Arzguaga, of Canandaigua, 30-year-old Jennifer Quijano, of Geneva, 19-year-old Emily Motyka, of Lima, 30-year-old Patrick Goodwin, of Canandaigua, and 33-year-old Kyle Sage, of Rochester, have each been charged with second-degree murder, depraved indifference.
A search warrant was executed Thursday at room 22 at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell where Nordquist was believed to have been staying. Bureau of Criminal Investigation Captain Kelly Swift for Troop E said that they found a “deeply disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately led to Sam’s death.”
“Based on evidence and witness statements, we have determined that Sam endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse at the hands of multiple individuals.”
Captain Swift said from December to this month, Nordquist was subject to repeated acts of violence and torture in a manner that ultimately led to his death. In an attempt to conceal his death, Nordquist’s body was placed in a field off of Payne Road, in Benton, Yates County.
“The facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved,” said Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts. “By far, this is the worst homicide investigation this office has ever been a part of.”
Ritts added, “No human being should have to have endure what Sam endured.”
Nordquist was born female and identified as male. State Police said they have not ruled out Nordquist’s murder as a hate crime.
Nordquist, who was last in contact with family at the end of January, traveled to New York last September. Investigators would not elaborate on what brought Nordquist to the region or the relationship between him and those allegedly responsible for his death.
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