Two women convicted of torturing and killing a transgender man in upstate New York were each sentenced Tuesday to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, the harshest sentence permitted under state law.
Precious Arzuaga, 40, and her former partner Jennifer Quijano, 32, had previously pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, and concealment of a human corpse. The victims’ name was Sam Nordquist, 24, who was held captive and killed in a roadside motel in Ontario County’s Finger Lakes region.
Authorities say Mr. Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to New York in September 2024 to meet Ms. Arzuaga after they connected online. He initially stayed at Patty’s Lodge, a motel used to shelter people receiving housing assistance, where Ms. Arzuaga lived with her two young children. The two-week visit extended into months, with Mr. Nordquist’s communication with his family diminishing until it ceased in early January 2025.
Prosecutors described a prolonged period of torture in which Mr. Nordquist was bound with duct tape, sexually assaulted, beaten, starved, and forced to consume human waste. He died from his injuries on February 2, 2025. His body was later discovered wrapped in a trash bag in nearby woods, about 15 miles from the motel.
Ms. Arzuaga, regarded by prosecutors as the ringleader, was alleged to have compelled her children—a 12-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy—to participate in the abuse. One of her other children, Thomas Eaves, 22, is among the seven individuals indicted in connection with the case; two others have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing, while three defendants are set for trial next year.
During sentencing, Judge Kristina A. Karle of Ontario County Court ordered Ms. Arzuaga to have no contact with her children for the remainder of her life. Addressing her directly, the judge condemned the cruelty inflicted on Mr. Nordquist, calling the victim “someone who was good” and emphasizing the severity of the crime.
Statements from Mr. Nordquist’s mother, Linda Nordquist, and sister, Kayla Nordquist, were read aloud in court. Both described him as kind-hearted and loving, emphasizing his belief in the goodness of others, including his trust in Ms. Arzuaga. Linda Nordquist accused Ms. Arzuaga of exploiting her son’s vulnerability, while Kayla Nordquist expressed skepticism over the convicted women’s apologies, describing the emotional toll of facing them in court.
The case has drawn national attention, particularly within the LGBTQ community, where some questioned why the prosecution did not file hate crime charges. Prosecutors maintained that the motivations behind the crime were complex and went beyond bias against Mr. Nordquist’s transgender identity. Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck, who handled the case against Ms. Quijano, cited jealousy as a key factor, stating that the animosity stemmed from Mr. Nordquist having Ms. Arzuaga’s attention.
Both Ms. Arzuaga and Ms. Quijano expressed remorse in court, acknowledging their responsibility and accepting the sentences imposed. Following the proceedings, family members emphasized their ongoing grief and the profound impact of the case on their lives.