Two more arrested in death of transgender man Sam Nordquist

Author: Trudy Ring

Two more people have been arrested in connection with the death of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man tortured and killed in upstate New York.

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Kimberly L. Sochia, 29, of Canandaigua, N.Y., and Thomas G. Eaves, 21, of Geneva, N.Y., are “charged with second-degree murder of depraved indifference,” Rochester’s Democrat & Chroniclereports. New York State Police arrested them Thursday night. Five people had already been arrested in connection with the crime.

Nordquist’s body was found February 13 in a field in Benton, N.Y., about 15 miles from Patty’s Lodge, a motel in Hopewell where he had been staying since last fall. He had worked at Riesco group homes for people with disabilities, based in Little Canada, Minn., and lived in Oakdale, Minn., before traveling to the Finger Lakes section of New York to be with a girlfriend he had met online. He had been repeatedly tortured since December, police said.

Authorities arrested the first five suspects after conducting a search of Patty’s Lodge. Precious Arzuaga, 38; Kyle Sage, 33; Jennifer Quijano, 30; Patrick Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19, were charged with second-degree murder. Eaves is the son of Precious Arzuaga, Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts told the Democrat & Chronicle.

“It’s entirely possible” there will be more arrests, he added. “You know, it’s beyond belief as to where this has already grown to with seven arrests, but the door is not closed. The investigation is not over.”

“In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most horrific crimes I have ever investigated,” Captain Kelly Swift of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations said at a press conference last week.

“Our investigation has revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately resulted in Sam’s tragic death,” Swift said. “Sam was subjected to repeated acts of violence and torture in a manner that ultimately led to his death.” This included “acts of prolonged physical and mental abuse at the hands of multiple people,” she added. His body was taken to the field in an attempt to conceal the crime, Swift noted.

The DA’s office has not yet characterized Nordquist’s death as a hate crime, but New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement saying she has “directed State Police to provide any and all support and resources to the District Attorney as they continue their investigation, including into whether this was a hate crime.”

Multiple vigils have been held to remember Nordquist and denounce anti-trans violence. One is going on Friday evening at the Church of the Village in New York City.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Trudy Ring