Over the last week, you’ve likely seen the name Sam Nordquist on social media or in the news. It can be difficult to take in yet another story of hatred, especially when it feels personal. That being said, I do believe it’s important that we remember and honor members of the LGBTQ+ community who lost their lives simply because they decided to be themselves.
When it comes to Nordquist, there’s a lot to know, so this article will give you a rundown of his story with a focus on the person Nordquist was, rather than sensationalizing the horrible way in which he passed.
Nordquist could be any of us
Sam Nordquist was a 24 year old Black transgender man (some outlets report he identified as biracial) from Oakdale, Minnesota who, like many of us, was looking for love. He had a close relationship with his mother, Linda, and his sister, Kayla.
“He would give you the shirt off his back,” Linda Nordquist told local station WROC. “Very kind, loved his family, loved his nieces and nephew, very outgoing, worked hard.” His friends and family remember him as friendly, cuddly, and loving.
In his missing person’s poster, Nordquist’s family mentions that he had over twenty tattoos. Among them: an owl tattoo, a dolphin, grandma & grandpa, and praying hands.
In mid-2024, Nordquist met Precious Arzuaga online and the two began a romantic relationship. According to Nordquist’s mother, “They were on the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They both appeared very happy.”
Where things went wrong
In September, Nordquist bought a round-trip ticket to Canandaigua, New York to visit Arzuaga. He had never been to New York before and planned to return home two weeks later. However, he never made it onto that return flight. His family attempted to contact him, but he remained unreachable for 24 hours.
Eventually, Linda received a call from her son and Arzuaga claiming that Nordquist would be staying longer to work on their relationship. From that point forward, his mother says that calls from Nordquist became infrequent and that Arzuaga was often on the line. “He didn’t sound like himself,” she said.
On December 4, an agent at the Ontario County Department of Social Services reached out to Linda to report that Nordquist had missed a meeting with them. He’d previously visited their offices for help, reporting that Arzuaga was controlling his cell phone usage and that he needed help as he planned his escape. Nordquist missed a second meeting with DSS on December 19.
When asked about his well-being later, Nordquist told his mom that he was “fine,” but she believes that Arzuaga was listening to their call. His last contact with his family was via text on January 31. Concerned, Linda and Kayla requested a wellness check from police on February 9.
New York State Police conducted the check, and though Arzuaga lied about even knowing Nordquist, the search continued. Eventually human remains, believed to be Nordquist, were discovered in a field on February 13. Evidence suggests that Nordquist was physically, emotionally, and psychologically tortured for months before his death.
What Happens Next
At the time of publication, seven people have been arrested in connection to Nordquist’s death. They include:
- Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Canandaigua, New York
- Patrick Goodwin, 30, of Canandaigua, New York
- Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester, New York
- Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva, New York
- Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima, New York
- Kimberly Sochia, 29, of Canandaigua
- Thomas Eaves, 21, of Geneva New York
It is worth noting that Eaves is Arzuaga’s son. Police are still trying to figure out the relationships that each suspect had with Nordquist and what relationships they all have with one another.
Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts says that they have not ruled out additional suspects in this crime.
While none of the suspects have yet been charged with a hate crime, Ritts says that the possibility is not off of the table.
What Can You Do With This Information
As Nordquist’s family continues to fight for justice, they’re raising funds on GoFundMe to cover lost wages for family members and travel between Minnesota and New York to attend the trial. If you are unable to give, sharing the link with others can help the family meet their goal.
This is a lot to take in, so if you’re already feeling overwhelmed, I recommend refraining from looking for further details on this case and to consider your mental health as new details emerge. Please take time to do something that brings you joy.
If you see concerning aspects in Nordquist’s story that mirror your own experiences, or if feelings of fear or anger linger, there’s no shame in reaching out for professional help. Domestic violence support and LGBTQ+ specific hotlines can be found here.
You also may be able to find long-term mental health support via your local LGBTQ+ center or by screening therapists near you.