Seven people, including Sam Nordquist’s former partner, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a slew of charges related to the brutal killing of the 24-year-old Black transgender man, who authorities say was tortured and held captive in an upstate New York hotel room for over a month before succumbing to his injuries.

Nordquist’s former partner, Precious Arzuaga, 38, and six others — Thomas Eaves, 21; Quijano, 30; Sage, 33; Goodwin, 30; Kimberly Sochia, 29; and Emily Motyka, 19 — each face a range of charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of a child, and concealment of a human corpse. If convicted of first-degree murder, the defendants could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Arzuaga, along with four other defendants, also pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated sexual abuse. Arzuaga additionally faces a charge of coercion.

The defendants’ indictment, issued last week, outlines the horrific abuse Nordquist allegedly endured from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2, which included severe physical violence and forced acts of degradation. Prosecutors say Nordquist was starved, beaten, and subjected to a range of sadistic acts, including being forced to consume feces, urine, and tobacco juice. Two young children were reportedly coerced into participating in the torture.

Authorities discovered Nordquist’s body on Feb. 13 in a field in Yates County, New York. The circumstances surrounding his death have shocked both the public and LGBTQ+ advocates, leading to widespread outrage.

A Brutal and Unfathomable Crime

At a press conference last week, Ontario County Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford expressed the incomprehensibility of the crime. “We’ll never know the answer why, because what human being could do what happened to Sam?” she said. “We’ll never make sense of this case.”

While authorities continue to piece together the details of Nordquist’s last days, the level of violence and cruelty involved has drawn national attention. The case has sparked outcry from LGBTQ+ organizations, who have called for additional scrutiny and possible hate crime charges in connection with Nordquist’s death.

However, in her comments, Wolford resisted calls for a hate crime charge, emphasizing that reducing the case to a single category would be a disservice to Nordquist’s memory. “To limit us to a hate crime would be an injustice to Sam,” she said.

Ties Between the Defendants

Records indicate that the seven defendants knew one another from the local area, with some being romantically involved. Goodwin, a registered sex offender, was reportedly staying in a nearby room at the same motel where Nordquist was held captive, Patty’s Lodge in Canandaigua. Pieper, an attorney for Motyka, stated she was unaware of how the 19-year-old became involved with the other defendants, but confirmed Motyka had been living at the motel starting Jan. 18.

Family members of Nordquist said the victim’s behavior changed drastically in the months leading up to his death, with his communication becoming increasingly infrequent. They expressed concern that Arzuaga was controlling Nordquist’s phone and limiting his interactions with family members.

In response to the family’s concerns, they claimed local police failed to adequately investigate wellness checks they had requested while Nordquist was still alive. Authorities have since denied any wrongdoing related to the handling of those wellness checks.

Coercion of Children

Wolford also addressed the involvement of two young children who were reportedly coerced into participating in Nordquist’s torture. However, when asked if these children were Arzuaga’s, the prosecutor declined to comment.

The revelation that children were allegedly involved in such a horrific crime has added another layer of tragedy to the case, raising additional concerns about the psychological and emotional toll on those forced into participating in the abuse.

Calls for Hate Crime Charges

Since Nordquist’s body was discovered, LGBTQ+ groups have advocated for hate crime charges to be filed against the accused, arguing that the brutal nature of the crime, combined with Nordquist’s identity as a transgender person, points to a hate-driven motive.

However, Assistant District Attorney Wolford, who is leading the prosecution, emphasized that the charges should not be limited to a hate crime. “This case goes beyond that. This case is about what was done to Sam, and the people who did it,” Wolford said. “We cannot limit this to just a hate crime.”

Nordquist’s Family and Community Support

Nordquist’s family has been vocal in their grief and outrage over his death. They recently laid him to rest in his hometown of Oakdale, Minnesota. Family members have expressed sorrow over the brutal manner of his death, while also calling for justice to be served for the heinous acts carried out by the defendants.

LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), have rallied around Nordquist’s family, offering support and urging continued attention to the case. In particular, they have called for further examination of the circumstances surrounding Nordquist’s captivity, including the role of Arzuaga and the other defendants in the horrific events.

Next Steps

The seven defendants will return to court on May 2, 2025, for their next scheduled hearing. As the case continues to develop, the community remains focused on ensuring that justice is served for Sam Nordquist, whose tragic death has reverberated through both the LGBTQ+ and broader communities.

The case has underscored the ongoing struggles faced by transgender individuals, particularly Black transgender people, who often face heightened risks of violence and discrimination. It has also sparked important conversations about the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals and the need for stronger protections for vulnerable communities.

As prosecutors continue to build their case, many are left grappling with the shock and grief over a senseless act of violence that will forever impact Nordquist’s loved ones and the LGBTQ+ community.