Content warning: mentions of murder and torture.
Vigils have been held across New York and beyond to honour the life of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man who was killed and tortured during the weeks leading up to his death by five individuals in upstate New York.
One of these gatherings took place at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva and another at the Phelps Art Centre in the nearby town of Phelps, according to Rochester TV station WHEC. The Presbyterian Church vigil was also live-streamed on YouTube.
A statement on the church’s website reads: “Let us gather as a community to receive the power of hope, honour the beauty of love, stand united against the darkness of hatred.
Additionally, a local college in Ithaca held a vigil organised by its LGBTQ+ society, inviting the community to reflect, remember, and pray for Nordquist’s life.
Describing him as “very kind,” his mother, Linda Nordquist, told local station WROC, “He would give you the shirt off his back. He loved his family, loved his nieces and nephew, very outgoing, worked hard.” She added, “Sam did not deserve this. Nobody deserves this type of torment that he had to endure. We will get justice for you, Sam. Even if it takes the last breath out of me—you will have justice.”
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Sam Nordquist was last seen alive in Canandaigua, New York, and police launched a missing person investigation on February 9 after Nordquist’s family asked them to carry out a welfare check. Nordquist’s body was later found in a field in Yates County on February 13.
His body uncovered evidence of prolonged physical and psychological abuse. Captain Kelly Swift of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations said Nordquist had been tortured since December.
Authorities arrested five individuals who have since been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Nordquist’s death, all of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community. Three of the five had prior criminal convictions.
The Ontario County DA’s office identified them as Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin, 30; Emily Motyka, 19; and Precious Arzuaga, 38.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that she had directed the New York State Division of Human Rights Hate and Bias Prevention Unit to aid with the case. In a statement, she added: “All New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act.”
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