Prosecutors revealed Sunday there is “no indication” the murder of upstate New York transgender man Sam Nordquist was a hate crime as Gov. Kathy Hochul called the accusations “sickening” and poured state resources into the probe.
Nordquist was allegedly tortured for more than a month inside a motel until he died, but the Ontario County District Attorney’s Office and state police said some of the alleged perps were also members of the LGBTQ community.
“At this time we have no indication that Sam’s murder was a hate crime,” the district attorney’s office and New York State Police said in a statement, according to Spectrum News.
“To help alleviate the understandable concern that his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense.”
Five people are facing murder charges after Nordquist was allegedly punched, kicked, beaten with sticks, dog toys, rope canes and belts – and assaulted with a table leg and broomstick leading up to his death at the Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua where he was staying, according to court documents.
His body was later dumped in an empty field in neighboring Yates County, authorities said.
The 24-year-old victim faced “repeated acts of torture and violence” that caused his death, New York State Police Captain Kelly Swift said at a news conference Friday.
Nordquist’s family initially reported him missing on Feb. 9 with his corpse found three days later, prosecutors and police said in Sunday’s statement.
“We are still in the early stages of this investigation,” the two departments wrote.
“While significant evidence has been obtained, we are continuing to follow-up on leads brought by the State Police. We urge the community not to speculate into the motive as work to find justice for Sam,” the district attorney said.
New York residents Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin and Emily Motyka, both 19, were charged with second-degree murder and held without bail during their arraignment.
Hochul on Sunday called the Nordquist’s slaying “horrific and brutal.”
“The charges against these individuals are sickening and all New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act. We are praying for Sam Nordquist’s family, community and loved ones who are experiencing unimaginable grief,” the governor said.
“I have 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.”
