Sam Nordquist Murder: Two Women Sentenced to Life Without Parole in Canandaigua, New York

Sam Nordquist Murder-Two women convicted of murdering 24-year-old Minnesota native Sam Nordquist have been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Ontario County Court Judge Kristina Karle imposed the maximum sentence on Precious Arzuaga, 40, and Jennifer Quijano, 32, during separate proceedings in Canandaigua, New York, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Both women had previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and other offenses connected to Nordquist’s prolonged captivity and death in the Finger Lakes region.

Nordquist, a Black transgender man from Minnesota, traveled to New York in September 2024 after developing a romantic relationship with Arzuaga online. Prosecutors said he was later confined and subjected to repeated abuse before dying on February 2, 2025.

His body was discovered in a field in Yates County approximately two weeks later.

Precious Arzuaga Sentenced to Life Without Parole

Prosecutors described Arzuaga as the ringleader of the group responsible for Nordquist’s captivity and death.

She pleaded guilty in June 2026 to all 11 counts against her. The charges included first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual abuse, conspiracy, coercion, concealment of a human corpse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Judge Karle sentenced Arzuaga to life in prison without parole, the maximum punishment available for the first-degree murder conviction.

The judge also imposed sentences for the other crimes to which Arzuaga pleaded guilty.

During the hearing, the court entered orders of protection preventing Arzuaga from having contact with her children. Prosecutors had alleged that two children living with her at the time were exposed to or made to participate in some of the abuse.

Arzuaga addressed the court and apologized to Nordquist’s family. Members of his family questioned whether the apology was sincere.

Jennifer Quijano Also Receives Life Sentence

Quijano, also known as “Brooklyn,” received life in prison without parole for first-degree murder.

The judge imposed additional sentences for kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated sexual abuse, concealment of a human corpse and endangering the welfare of a child.

Those included 25 years to life for kidnapping and 25 years for aggravated sexual abuse, according to reporting from the sentencing.

Prosecutors characterized Quijano as an active participant in the crimes committed against Nordquist.

Assistant District Attorney Sara Van Strydonck described Quijano as “the muscle” involved in Nordquist’s captivity and abuse. Prosecutors said jealousy was among the factors behind her treatment of him.

Quijano also apologized to the family and acknowledged her responsibility before the court imposed the maximum sentence.

Who Was Sam Nordquist?

Sam Nordquist was a 24-year-old man from Minnesota remembered by his family as loving, kind and compassionate.

His mother, Linda Nordquist, said her son loved his family and was willing to help people in need. His relatives have also described him as someone who enjoyed cooking, dancing, cats and spending time in nature.

Nordquist traveled from Minnesota to the Finger Lakes area of New York in September 2024 to meet Arzuaga after the two developed a relationship online.

The visit was originally expected to last approximately two weeks.

Instead, Nordquist remained in New York for several months. His contact with his family became increasingly limited before stopping altogether around the beginning of January 2025.

His relatives reported him missing in February after becoming unable to reach him.

The missing-person investigation led authorities to Patty’s Lodge, a motel in Hopewell near Canandaigua, where Nordquist had been staying.

What Happened to Sam Nordquist?

Investigators determined that Nordquist was confined and repeatedly abused at the motel between January 1 and February 2, 2025.

Court records and prosecutors described a prolonged pattern of physical, psychological and sexual abuse.

Nordquist died from injuries associated with that mistreatment on February 2, authorities said.

Those responsible then concealed his body. Investigators found his remains inside a discarded bag in a field in the town of Benton, Yates County, on February 13, 2025.

The field was approximately 15 miles from the motel where much of the abuse allegedly occurred.

Law-enforcement officials described the crime as one of the most disturbing homicide investigations they had encountered.

Because the case involves exceptionally graphic allegations, many responsible news reports have avoided repeating every detail of the abuse unnecessarily.

Sam Nordquist’s Family Addresses the Court

Nordquist’s mother, Linda, and his sister, Kayla, delivered victim-impact statements during the sentencing proceedings.

They described Sam as a caring person who trusted Arzuaga and believed she cared about him.

His mother said Arzuaga had used her son’s trust and vulnerability to lure him into the circumstances that ultimately led to his death.

Family members became emotional as they spoke about the lasting effect of the killing and the difficulty of hearing details about what Nordquist endured.

The courtroom was reportedly filled with approximately 80 people. Applause followed the completion of each sentencing proceeding.

Outside the courthouse, Nordquist’s relatives said the sentences represented accountability but could not undo what happened or return Sam to his family.

Why Was the Case Not Charged as a Hate Crime?

Nordquist’s murder caused widespread concern within transgender and LGBTQ+ communities.

Many advocates questioned why prosecutors did not pursue hate-crime charges, particularly because Nordquist was a Black transgender man.

Authorities said investigators had not established that hatred toward Nordquist’s gender identity was the specific motive required to support a hate-crime prosecution under New York law.

Prosecutors said the evidence suggested that the defendants acted for multiple personal reasons.

The absence of a hate-crime charge does not minimize Nordquist’s identity or the broader concern about violence affecting transgender people. It reflects the particular evidence prosecutors said they could prove in this criminal case.

Arzuaga and Quijano were convicted of first-degree murder, an offense carrying New York’s most severe available sentence.

Seven People Charged in the Case

Arzuaga and Quijano were among seven people indicted in connection with Nordquist’s murder.

Emily Motyka and Kyle Sage also entered guilty pleas in their respective cases. Their charges and plea agreements differ from those involving Arzuaga and Quijano.

Other defendants include Patrick Goodwin, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves.

Some defendants are awaiting sentencing, while others are expected to face trial.

A guilty plea or conviction involving one defendant does not automatically establish the legal guilt of another. The remaining cases must be resolved through separate court proceedings.

Unless a defendant has pleaded guilty or been convicted, that person remains presumed innocent under the law.

What the Life-Without-Parole Sentences Mean

Life without parole means Arzuaga and Quijano are not eligible for release through the ordinary parole process.

They will remain under the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision for the rest of their lives unless their convictions or sentences are changed through a successful legal proceeding.

New York does not currently carry out the death penalty. Life imprisonment without parole is therefore the state’s most severe punishment.

The additional sentences imposed for kidnapping, sexual abuse and other offenses document the separate crimes involved, even though the first-degree murder sentences alone prevent parole eligibility.

The Murder Case Is Not Finished

The September 8 sentencing represents a major development, but it does not conclude the entire Sam Nordquist prosecution.

Proceedings involving the remaining defendants are continuing. Further guilty pleas, sentencing hearings or trials may reveal additional evidence about the crime.

Nordquist’s family has said it still wants answers about why he was targeted and why no one stopped the abuse before it became fatal.

The family and community members have also worked to ensure that public attention remains centered on Sam’s life rather than solely on the people convicted of killing him.

The two life-without-parole sentences provide legal accountability for Arzuaga and Quijano. For those who loved Nordquist, however, the punishment cannot erase the months of uncertainty, the pain of learning what happened or the permanent absence left by his death.

Disclaimer: This article contains discussion of kidnapping, abuse and murder that some readers may find distressing. Information is based on court proceedings, official law-enforcement statements and credible news reporting. Defendants whose cases remain unresolved are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are convicted in court. Anyone experiencing immediate danger should contact emergency services or an appropriate local support organization.