Precious Arzuaga and Jennifer Quijano have been sentenced to life in prison without parole for their role as “ringleaders” in the brutal early 2025 torture and killing of 24-year-old trans man Sam Nordquist. During the sentencing, Nordquist’s mother and sister spoke, and Arzuaga apologized for her role in Nordquist’s grisly death.
“I was trying to be strong for him [Sam Nordquist] — not cry,” said Kayla Nordquist, the victim’s sister, according to Spectrum News. “Seeing her [Quijano], all I see is red, all I see is red. I had a hard time not pointing my face directly towards her while standing up speaking to her and the judge. And I don’t think Precious is sorry.”
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In her own victim statement read before the court, Linda Nordquist, the victim’s mother, described the anguish of losing her child and shared her favorite memories of them.
Reading a statement to the family, Arzuaga said, “I’m sorry for what happened. I can’t take back what happened, although I wish I could. What was previously stated by the family was true. Sam really did love me and my kids, and I’m willing to accept whatever punishment you are to give me in front of everyone.”
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Prosecutors said that Arzuaga orchestrated the murder out of jealousy after Nordquist expressed interest in a new romantic partner.
Before the sentencing, Ontario County Judge Kristina Karle asked, “We all want to know why: Why was someone so good taken so tragically? Was it because Sam was everything you were not and will never be? Did you look at him and hate him because of that kind of compassion and hope? I’m sure that made you feel sick.”
As Karle read the sentence, Arzuaga reportedly rolled her eyes, according to Syracuse.com. As she was led out of the courtroom, the crowd applaused and some yelled, “F*** you. You’re the devil! Rot in hell.”
Arzuaga and Quijano both pleaded guilty to all charges. Of the five other individuals charged in connection with Nordquist’s death, Emily Motyka and Kyle Sage are both awaiting sentencing after pleaded guilty; Patrick Goodwin, Kimberly Sochia, and Thomas Eaves will face trial in January 2027 if they don’t plead guilty beforehand.
Nordquist’s murderers reportedly subjected him to prolonged physical and psychological abuse, police said. His attackers sexually assaulted him with a “table leg and broomstick,” and made him endure “prolonged beatings by punching, kicking and striking [Nordquist] with numerous objects, including but not limited to sticks, dog toys, rope, bottles, belts, canes and wooden boards.”
The suspects allegedly recorded videos of his abuse and then allegedly tried to hide their crime by discarding his body in a field in Canandaigua, New York.
Capt. Kelly Swift of the state police’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation called Nordquist’s murder “beyond depraved” and “one of the most horrific crimes I have ever investigated.” State police commander Major Kevin Sucher said, “No human being should have to endure what Sam endured,” and Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts said that Nordquist’s murder was “absolutely without question the worst thing that we have ever seen.”
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