CNN
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Authorities have apprehended five individuals in New York who are charged with the alleged abduction and murder of a 24-year-old transgender man from Minnesota. Reports indicate that he suffered severe torture and mistreatment for an extended period before his demise.

The New York State Police initiated a missing persons investigation for Sam Nordquist on February 9, prompted by a welfare check requested by his family, as detailed in a news release from Friday.

Remains believed to be Nordquist were found on February 13 in a field situated approximately 50 miles southeast of Rochester in Yates County.

Subsequent investigations uncovered evidence indicating that Nordquist endured continuous physical maltreatment between December 2024 and February 2025, as reported by the authorities.

“Sam experienced ongoing acts of violence and torture, ultimately leading to his death,” stated Captain Kelly Swift with the New York State Police during a news conference held on Friday.

Swift further noted that his body was relocated “in an effort to cover up the crime.”

She described this incident as “one of the most atrocious crimes” in her two-decade law enforcement career.

The individuals arrested, aged between 19 and 38, face charges of second-degree murder with depraved indifference. The suspects have been identified as Precious Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; and Emily Motyka, 19.

Authorities continue to investigate the connections between the five suspects and Nordquist, Swift reported.

CNN has reached out to the legal representatives of the suspects for further information.

The defendants were arraigned on Friday morning and are currently being held in the Ontario County Jail without bail, as stated by Ontario County District Attorney Jame Ritts during the news conference.

If convicted, each suspect could face a sentence ranging from 15 years to life in prison, Ritts noted.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office to ascertain the cause of Nordquist’s death, according to the New York State Police.

Nordquist traveled to New York in September to meet an “online girlfriend,” as stated by a verified GoFundMe campaign set up by his family. His loved ones reported that they had not heard from him since January 1.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of classifying the murder as a hate crime or making additional arrests, Swift confirmed on Friday.

“The details and circumstances surrounding this crime are utterly depraved,” Ritts remarked. “No individual should have to endure what Sam went through.”

In 2023, there were 35 reported homicides involving “transgender or gender-expansive individuals,” according to a report from Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund.

Several members of the Rochester City Council expressed their condolences to Nordquist’s family while reiterating their support for the transgender community in a joint news statement.

“Our Trans and LGBTQIA+ community members have always been essential to the fabric of our society,” the statement from council members Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin, and Kim Smith emphasized.