Trans man Sam Nordquist tortured and killed in New York

Authorities arrested and charged five people in the death of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota. Local police in upstate New York said Nordquists were repeatedly tortured in the weeks before he was killed.

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According to the local news agency, police have not said whether Nordquist was murdered for being transgender. whec.

Nordquist’s family reported that he had gone missing a few weeks ago. WHEC reports that he traveled to the Finger Lakes area in September. He was last seen in Canandagua.

Captain Kelly Swift of the NYSP Criminal Investigation Bureau said the Nordquist had been tortured since December.

“In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most frightening crimes I’ve ever investigated,” Swift said. Friday’s press conference.

“Our investigation revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse, which ultimately led to Sam’s tragic death,” Swift said. “Sam was subjected to repeated acts of violence and torture in the way that ultimately led to his death.”

She added: “His body was taken to hide the crime.”

Nordquist’s mother said she had not been in touch with her son for a while.

“He’ll give you a shirt from his back,” Linda Nordkist told the local station. wroc. “He was very kind, loved his family, loved his nie and nephew, was very extroverted and worked hard.”

“The last time I spoke to Sam was on January 1st, and Sam said, ‘I love you, I’ll call you tomorrow,’ and I haven’t spoken to Sam,” he said. The mother said. “It’s heartbreaking. I’m devastated. I cried so much.”

Authorities arrested five suspects after conducting a search Patty lodge motel in Hopewell, Ontario on February 13, WHEC reports. The precious Alzuaga, 38; Kyle Sage, 33; Jennifer Kijano, 30; Patrick Goodwin, 30; Emily Motica, 19, was charged with second-degree murder.

Nordquist was staying at Patty’s Lodge. The motel will rent 22 rooms to those who receive housing assistance; New York Times.

“I was shocked to see people being able to commit this type of crime,” Motel Manager Manny Patel told the paper.

Patel and Nordquist’s neighbors said Nordquist and Alzuga remained in the same room.

“They can be corrupted,” Linda Nordquist told WROC, the suspect who was arrested. “They’re scum, they’re evil, I don’t know how someone can become so evil.”

Police did not say where the Nordquist was detained and abused. Authorities also did not say whether Nordquist had previously known other suspects.

Authorities say the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the exact cause of the death.

Nordquist’s mother believes that his son’s trans identity may have played a role in his murder.

“I don’t know, I don’t want to speculate, but it’s a kind of hate crime,” Linda Nordquist told WROC.

Rochester City Council members Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin and Kim Smith It was stated in a joint statement“When hostility towards LGBTQIA+ people is rising – as federal orders try to erase the word Trans from public records – we cement our commitment to vehemently defending and protecting trans neighbors. It has to be. Trans and LGBTQIA+ residents. We are always integral to the structure of our community. We won, and we won’t allow it to be lost.”

The Nordquist vigil is scheduled for Monday from 6pm to 8pm at the wooden library on Main Street in Canandaigua.

Anyone with more information about Nordquist’s murder can call (585)-398-4100 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.