Ringleader in transgender man's murder sentenced to life in prison without parole

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. Precious Arzuaga is led out of Ontario County Court after being sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, for the murder of Sam Nordquist. A Nordquist supporter is seen applauding the sentence. 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.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's Lodge in Hopewell. "He came here looking for love," Karle said of Nordquist. "And sadly and tragically, he found you. And you represent everything opposite of Sam. " Arzuaga and seven defendants were charged with murder in the case. Three others — Emily Motyka, Jennifer Quijano and Kyle Sage — also pleaded guilty in recent months. The other three defendants — Patrick Goodwin, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves — are awaiting separate trials. "You knew exactly why Sam came here," said Linda Nordquist, Sam's mother. "He trusted you. He believed you cared for him. ""I refuse to let Sam's story be defined by the unimaginable cruelty that took his life," Linda said. "Before he was a victim, he was my son. ""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. ""I can't 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. 'Mom pushing for change after 15-year-old daughter killed while bicycling in Shippensburg One week after celebrating her 15th birthday, Ariel Willever was killed while riding her e-bike in shippensburg.now her mom is sharing the story of the life sheAt least one person has been killed after a crash in Hellam Township ealry Monday morning,A man was taken into police custody on Monday in North Hampton, Massachusetts on a warrant from Franklin County. One of the two teenagers charged in connection with a deadly shooting in May at a York County park will appear in court Tuesday morning, court records show. It was just after 2 p.m. Sept. 4 when a tractor-trailer crashed into six other vehicles, leaving the tractor-trailer on its side, injuring 14 people.