Host Athena Hope covers the case of transgender man, Sam Nordquist.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/15/nyregion/ny-arrests-sam-nordquist-murder.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/nyregion/sam-nordquist-killing-transgender-hate-crime.html https://13wham.com/news/local/nysp-and-ontario-county-da-no-evidence-of-hate-crime-in-nordquist-case
https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-sam-nordquist-demand-harsher-sentencing?recruiter=436247&recruited_by_id=7eef77e0-13ea-0130-8369-38ac6f16cbb1 Petition for harsher sentences.
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Episode Transcript
Hello everyone, welcome to the Transgenders at
War podcast, the show thatfocuses on transgender people,
politics and how transgenderpeople are affected by it.
I'm your host, athena Hope.
Today's episode is special aswe examine the tragic case of
Sam Nordquist, a transgender man.
Please be aware that thisepisode contains a trigger
(00:30):
warning for abuse.
Let's get started.
In the town of Canandaigua, newYork, a heartbreaking discovery
has left our communitysearching for answers.
Today, we remember SamNordquist, a 24-year-old
(00:53):
transgender man from Minnesotawhose life was tragically taken
away in an act of unspeakableviolence.
Sam was known for his kindness,love for nature and trusting
spirit.
In September 2024, he journeyedto New York to meet a woman
named Precious Arzuaga, withwhom he had formed a deep
connection through onlineconversation.
(01:14):
His family, though concerned,supported his decision, hoping
for his happiness and safety.
However, a series of eventsunfolded that led to one of the
most devastating crimes theregion has ever seen.
In this episode, we honor Sam'smemory by examining his
disappearance and the ongoingquest for justice.
We will also shed light on thebroader issues his story raises.
(01:48):
This case started in July 2024.
Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-oldtransgender man from Minnesota,
met Precious Arzuaga online andbegan a romantic relationship
After talking for a few months,sam decided to visit Precious.
On September 28th, sam ordereda round-trip ticket to New York.
He originally planned to returnto Minnesota.
(02:10):
After staying with Precious fortwo weeks, he stayed with her
at the Paddy's Lodge Motel inCanandaigua, new York.
On October 12th his returnflight was scheduled, but Sam
missed it and decided to extendhis trip indefinitely.
Since October 12th,communication between Sam and
his family had dwindled and theyheard less and less from him.
Sometime in December, sam's momreceived a message about her
(02:32):
son.
She talked to an employee atthe Ontario County Department of
Social Services who told herSam had sought help, saying he
was in a controllingrelationship and missed home.
January 1st was the last timeLinda spoke to Sam.
His final words were I love youand I'll call you tomorrow.
The call never came, leavingLinda with deep dread.
Linda noticed that somemessages received after January
(02:56):
1st didn't seem to be from Sam.
Her instincts told hersomething was wrong and her
anxiety grew daily.
After January 31st, thefamily's concern escalated.
As they noticed Sam's phone wasoff, which was unusual for him.
They sensed something was wrong.
On February 9th 2025, after nothearing from Sam for weeks, his
(03:16):
family filed a missing personreport with the New York State
Police.
His sister, kayla Nordquist,had contacted his co-workers and
friends, but no one had heardfrom him.
On February 13th, investigatorsexecuted a search warrant at
room number 22 at the Paddy'sLodge Motel.
Tragically, they discoveredhuman remains in a field about
30 minutes away, lateridentified as Sam's.
(03:39):
The news devastated his family,who had held onto hope, despite
growing evidence of foul play.
Devastated his family, who hadheld onto hope, despite growing
evidence of foul play.
The following day, fiveindividuals, including Precious
Arzuaga, were arrested andcharged with second-degree
murder and depraved indifferencein connection with Sam's death.
A grand jury has indicted thefive suspects on felony charges
related to Sam's murder.
(03:59):
The defendants are to faceproceedings in the Ontario
County Court.
The suspects are currentlybeing held without bail.
A preliminary hearing has beenscheduled and authorities expect
a grand jury to take furtheraction soon.
If convicted, the suspectscould face 15 to 20 years in
prison.
The family is left grapplingwith the unimaginable loss of
(04:20):
Sam, seeking justice whiletrying to come to terms with the
horrific circumstances of hisdeath.
Investigators revealed that Samwas subjected to repeated acts
of violence and torture betweenDecember 2024 and February 2025,
ultimately leading to his death.
Sam Nordquist was sexuallyassaulted with various objects,
(04:42):
including a table leg and abroomstick, as part of the
prolonged physical andpsychological abuse he endured.
The assaults were part of analarming pattern of violence
that ultimately led to his death.
According to District AttorneyJames Ritz, much forensic work
and investigation still needs tobe done, so he cannot say what
Sam's relationship to the fiveindividuals arrested were.
(05:04):
James Ritz stated.
I am so sorry.
As you heard, the facts and thecircumstances of this crime are
beyond depraved.
This is by far the worsthomicide investigation that our
office has ever been a part of.
(05:27):
Sam's mother, linda Nordquist,told news sources that was all
Sam ever wanted to be loved andin a relationship.
Linda said her family had triedto warn Sam about meeting
someone he knew only online, buthe was determined.
She noted that the two had beenconstantly on FaceTime since
mid-July.
Linda described Sam as trustingand loving, with a deep
(05:50):
affection for the outdoors.
Sam's decision to go to NewYork raised concerns for his
family, especially since hislocation on their cell phones
showed he rarely left the motel,which was unusual for him.
Sam enjoyed making friends andhad several.
He met through various onlinechannels, including TikTok video
games and Liveme, a personalstreaming site.
(06:11):
Linda recalled that Sam wasinitially shy when meeting new
people but would quickly open up.
Kayla Nordquist, sam's sister,highlighted his close
relationship with co-workers atRise Co.
Inc.
A group home for people withdisabilities.
Sam dedicated nearly six yearsworking there with his sister
and mother.
(06:31):
Sam found deep fulfillment inhis interactions with vulnerable
adults.
He was known for his patience,compassion and ability to bring
joy to those he cared for.
He just had a joy with it, hismom said, recalling how sam
would take clients on outingsand dance with them.
Sam's love for dancing andmusic was a significant part of
his life and he often filmedhimself dancing, showcasing his
(06:54):
vibrant and joyful spirit.
He was the best kind of sillyweirdo you could have.
Linda said he always brought asmile to your face, trying to be
a jokester.
She described Sam as very kind,hardworking and outgoing, with
a deep love for his family,especially his nieces and
nephews.
His love for his family wasevident in everything he did.
His mom said Sam also enjoyedspending time in nature with his
(07:17):
family.
They used to visit zoos allover the Midwest.
Linda planned to stay in thestate until she could bring her
son's body back to Minnesota.
I want him home, where hebelongs.
She said her voice filled withlonging.
She emphasized that peopleshould know how loving her son
was, stating Sam was a wonderfulperson who did not deserve this
.
No human being deserves this.
(07:38):
His absence has left a voidthat will never be filled.
The authorities ruled that itdidn't seem like this was a hate
crime.
They reasoned that it can't bea hate crime because the
murderers are also identified asLGBT+.
(08:00):
However, it's important toremember that for hate crimes,
the key factor is the motivationbehind the crime, not the
identity of the perpetrators.
The identity of theperpetrators does not
necessarily negate thepossibility of a hate crime.
Individuals within the LGBTplus community can still harbor
biases or act violently againstothers within the community due
(08:23):
to internalized prejudices orpersonal conflicts.
Words that come to mind areinternalized homophobia and
internalized transphobia.
Internalized prejudice occurswhen members of a marginalized
group internalize and acceptnegative messages or stereotypes
about their own group.
This internalized prejudice cansometimes manifest in violence
(08:43):
or discrimination against othermembers of the same group.
It may be challenging toclassify the crime as a hate
crime because currently there isno clear evidence that Sam was
targeted because of his genderidentity.
One factor could have beenSam's transgender identity.
Another factor could have beenhis racial profile as well.
Sam Nordquist was the onlyblack and racial minority member
in their group.
(09:04):
Based on Sam's family reports,he was known to be kind-hearted
and a very good man.
Our society today is dangerousfor those who are minorities,
especially transgender.
It is because of hatefulrhetoric and people such as
Donald Trump creatinganti-transgender legislation and
dehumanizing us every chance hegets, that our society is
learning to build hatred andresentment towards transgender
(09:26):
people.
Just because someone is LGBTplus doesn't mean they are
unable to hate their own.
Our society still very muchshuns and makes a joke out of
gay people, and because of that,everybody is affected
negatively.
Thank you so much for watchingthis episode of my podcast.
(09:47):
Today we've delved into thetragic case of Sam Nordquist, a
life cut short by unimaginableviolence.
As we continue to seek justiceand answers, let's remember Sam
for his kindness, love fornature and the joy he brought to
those around him.
His story highlights theongoing struggles faced by the
transgender community and theurgent need to change.
We must stand together,advocating for a safer, more
(10:09):
inclusive society where love andacceptance prevail over hate
and prejudice.
Stay tuned for future episodesas we explore politics and the
lives of transgender individuals.
Until next time, I'm AthenaHope, and this has been
Transgenders at War.
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