Two women sentenced to life without parole for killing trans man Sam Nordquist
Sam Nordquist (Instagram/everytown)
Two women who pleaded guilty to kidnapping, torturing and killing Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man, have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Precious Arzuaga was sentenced Tuesday (8 September) in an Ontario County, New York, courtroom after pleading guilty in June to first-degree murder, kidnapping and torture, among other charges, as reported by Syracuse.com. Jennifer “Brooklyn” Quijano, who also pleaded guilty to all charges against her, received the same sentence.
Prosecutors say Arzuaga was the ringleader of a plot to lure Nordquist from Minnesota to New York. Nordquist believed he was travelling to meet a girlfriend he had met online to pursue a romantic relationship with her. Instead, prosecutors said, he was held captive for weeks at Patty’s Lodge, where he was repeatedly beaten with objects and sexually assaulted before his body was discovered in nearby Yates County.
Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts described the case as “by far the worst homicide investigation” his office has ever handled.
At Tuesday’s sentencing, Nordquist’s family spoke about the person they knew rather than allowing the circumstances of his death to define him. Syracuse.com reports that Nordquist’s sister, Kayla, said: “He wanted to build a life with someone who loved him for exactly who he was. Sam believed he had found that future.”
WROC reports that Judge Kristina Karle became emotional during the family’s testimony. Karle directly addressed Arzuaga in open court, telling her, “He came here looking for love. And sadly, tragically, he found you.”
Arzuaga apologised in court and acknowledged that Sam had genuinely cared for her and her family. She said she could not take back what happened and admitted that Nordquist had been kept prisoner in a room she shared with her children. She did not dispute the allegations prosecutors had made against her.
Quijano likewise admitted participating in Nordquist’s prolonged abuse and helping conceal his body after his death.
Two others, Kyle Sage and Emily Motyka, have pleaded guilty to related crimes, while Patrick Goodwin, Thomas Eaves and Kimberly Sochia are still awaiting trial on murder and torture charges.
First-degree murder in New York allows only a life-without-parole sentence; however, federal authorities have also considered bringing additional federal charges against those involved. Arzuaga could potentially face the death penalty if she is convicted in federal court.
If you’ve been affected by this story, you can reach out to Mind on 0300 123 3393, Switchboard on 0800 0119 100 or the Samaritans on 116 123. Readers in the US can call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting MHA to 741741.
