Officials said five people were arrested and charged in New York regarding the disappearance and death of a 24 -year -old transgender man in the state of Minnesota, who was reported earlier this week.
New York State Police She mentioned that she launched a missing investigation For Samer Nordquet, 24, on Sunday after receiving a well -being examination request from his family.
On Thursday, investigators discovered human remains, believed to be in Nordquette, in a field in Yetz Province, New York. Yetz Province is about 50 miles south of Rothsters.
The case is being investigated as a murder, Lynnea Crane, New York State Police spokesman, He said at a press conference on Friday. She added that the evidence indicates the fact that Nordquist was “a victim of criminal act.”
Captain Kelly Swift of New York State Police said at the press conference that they did not rule out the possibility that this case would be a hate crime.
“Our investigation has revealed a very disturbing pattern of mistreatment that eventually led to Sam’s tragic death,” Swift said, noting that Nordquest faced “a long physical and psychological abuse at the hands of multiple individuals.”
She described her as “one of the most horrific crimes that she has ever achieved” in her 20 -year -old law enforcement.
The police have not been able to share details about the specific treatment that Nordquist faced, noting the ongoing investigation.
Officials said they discovered that Nordquest was staying in Batis Lodge in Hobeil, New York, with one of the five suspects. Police said the evidence that was discovered during the investigation indicated that Nordquettist “was subjected to constant physical abuse” between December 2024 and February 2025.
The police have identified the five suspects – all of them from New York – as the precious rituals, 38; Jennifer A. Kojano, 30; Kyle Sig, 33; Patrick a. Godwin, 30; Emily Motika, 19, was all charged with second -degree murder with corrupt indifference, according to the state police statement.
All five suspects were called and returned to Ontario County Prison on Friday.
James Ritz, the provincial lawyer in Ontario Province, said at the press conference on Friday that the suspects were detained without sponsorship. He pointed out that a date for an initial listening session was set and that he expected “the procedures of the major jury very quickly.”
It was not immediately clear whether any of the suspects had legal representation. Krin, a New York State Police spokeswoman, told NBC News that she was not aware of the legal representatives of the suspects. The Ontario Provincial Lawyer Office did not immediately respond to a request to obtain this information on Saturday evening.
Police said they were still investigating the relationship between Nordquest and the suspects.
“Sam was exposed to repeated acts of violence and torture in a way that eventually led to his death,” Swift said at the press conference. “His body was transferred in an attempt to hide the crime.”
According to the statement issued by the state police, the body of Nordquest was transferred to Yetz, where the remains were disposed of.
Police said that the Monroe County Medical Office would conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and method of death.
According to the report of the missing persons, Nordquist was in contact with the family at the end of January, and he traveled to New York from Minnesota in September 2024.
The last time Nordquest was seen in early February. Investigators have carried out multiple inspection orders in Batis Lodge, according to the police.
The police said the investigation was active and continuous.
“The facts and circumstances of this crime exceeded. This is largely the worst investigation into the killing that our office was part of,” Ritz said on Friday. “No person should bear what Sam holds.”
A number of members of the Rochester City Council expressed their support and condolences to the Nordquette family In a joint press statement on social media.
“Our residents are through and LGBTQIA, and they were always an integral part of our societies,” said Marie Lubian, Stanley Martin and Kim Smith. “We reaffirm our commitment to protecting transit rights, ensuring safety for everyone and you want to clarify that you belong – frankly and without fear.”
