CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. (WHAM) \u2014 The ringleader in the torture and murder of Sam Nordquist received the maximum sentence Tuesday, exiting Ontario County Court as Nordquist supporters erupted in applause.<\/p>\n
Precious Arzuaga pleaded guilty June 26<\/a> to murder and other charges in the death of Nordquist, 24, a transgender man from Oakdale, Minnesota, who traveled to the Finger Lakes region in September 2024 and stayed at Patty\u2019s Lodge in Hopewell. Authorities said Nordquist was tortured from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2, 2025, before his body was found in a Yates County field Feb. 13, 2025.<\/p>\n BACKGROUND: ‘Beyond depraved’: 5 charged with transgender Minnesota man’s murder in Ontario County<\/a> | Two more suspects arrested in Sam Nordquist’s murder<\/a><\/p>\n Judge Kristina Karle sentenced Arzuaga to life in prison without parole.<\/p>\n “He came here looking for love,” Karle said of Nordquist. “And sadly and tragically, he found you. And you represent everything opposite of Sam.”<\/p>\n Arzuaga and seven defendants were charged with murder in the case. Three others \u2014 Emily Motyka, Jennifer Quijano and Kyle Sage \u2014 also pleaded guilty in recent months. The other three defendants \u2014 Patrick Goodwin, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves \u2014 are awaiting separate trials.<\/p>\n BACKGROUND: Fourth defendant pleads guilty in Sam Nordquist murder case<\/a> | Sam Nordquist’s family honors his life at Rochester’s first Trans Pride Festival<\/a><\/p>\n Nordquist’s mother and sister addressed Arzuaga in court.<\/p>\n “You knew exactly why Sam came here,” said Linda Nordquist, Sam’s mother. “He trusted you. He believed you cared for him.”<\/p>\n Arzuaga\u2019s eyes remained on the floor as Linda continued.<\/p>\n “I refuse to let Sam\u2019s story be defined by the unimaginable cruelty that took his life,” Linda said. “Before he was a victim, he was my son.”<\/p>\n Kayla Nordquist, Sam’s sister, said her brother’s death “shattered an entire family.”<\/p>\n “The person he trusted with his heart became the reason it stopped beating forever,” she said. “He should have had the chance to grow old.”<\/p>\n Arzuaga then addressed the court, apologizing to the Nordquist family.<\/p>\n “I can\u2019t take back what happened, although I wish I could,” Arzuaga said. “What was stated previously by the family was true. Sam really did love me and my kids.\u201d<\/p>\n “I’m willing to accept whatever punishment you are to give me,” she told Karle.<\/p>\n