Minnesota
New York State Police: Minnesota man found dead after months of torture; 5 charged
Five people have been formally charged with second-degree murder after a Minnesota man was found dead in a field after he went missing, according to authorities in New York.
On Friday, officials with New York State Police announced the body of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist had been found, adding he had “endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse” and that they haven’t ruled out the potential of a hate crime.
According to police, Nordquist had arrived in New York state sometime in September and had been staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell. A search warrant was executed on Feb. 13 as part of their investigation, where authorities say they found a “deeply disturbing pattern” of abuse.
Authorities say they believe Nordquist endured repeated acts of violence and torture from late December to sometime in February, adding his body had been moved in an attempt to “conceal crime.”
Nordquists’s body was found in Benton, located southeast of Rochester, New York. A map showing that location can be found below.
The five people who police identified as suspects, all from various cities of New York state, are:
- Patrick A. Goodwin, 30
- Jennifer A. Quijano, 30
- Kyle R. Sage, 33
- Emily Jean Motyka, 19
- Precious N. Arzuaga, 38
Citing their ongoing investigation, authorities couldn’t say how the suspects knew each other, or knew Sam.
All five were arraigned Friday morning and are being held without bail. Authorities add a preliminary hearing has been set, and that they expect grand jury action soon.
Jim Ritts, the Ontario County District Attorney, said “This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been a part of. It is an ongoing investigation, so we are necessarily limited in the things that we can talk about. But no human being should have to endure what Sam endured.”
Ritts also said “the facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved.”
Authorities are asking anyone who may have information on the case to contact New York State Police by calling 585-398-4100, or by emailing crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reporter Brittney Ermon will have more on this story during Friday’s evening newscasts. Check back for updates.
A beloved ocelot named Rio is celebrating an incredible milestone at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota — her 27th birthday! This stunning medium-sized wildcat is known for her gorgeous spotted coat and distinctive ring-patterned tail. Tammy Thies, founder and executive director of the Wildcat Sanctuary, joined Minnesota Live to share more about Rio’s remarkable life. Learn more here.
Meteorological summer kicks off June 1 and lasts through August. So, is the heat here to stay in Minnesota?
With temperatures near 90 lately, summer is on everyone’s mind. The outlook from the Climate Prediction Center says it’s a toss-up when it comes to temperatures over the three-month season.
“We’re going into an El Niño, and probably a very strong one, or a super El Niño, as they say,” said Pete Boulay, a climatologist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “And looking at past history, might be a cooler-than-normal summer. But we’ll have to wait and see what happens. If you stay dry, it’s going to be hard to stay cool.”
And no doubt, Minnesota has been dry already with drought conditions persisting across northern and southwestern parts of the state.
“Most places in the state are about 1-3 inches short of normal for May, and right about this time of year, we should get about an inch of rain a week,” Boulay said. “Every time we don’t get that rain, every week that goes by, the drought will come back.”
The summer outlook says it is more likely that conditions remain drier than average through August. Though we’re past the majority of Minnesota’s wildfire season, Boulay said if conditions are right, that could create elevated fire threats, unless you’re lucky enough to see some rain.
“We’re in that kind of lazy pattern right now. There’s a high pressure off to our east, and we have kind of the return flow coming out of the south, so warm, and you know, you still might have one of those thunderstorms pop up very isolated, but maybe you’ll get lucky and get one, but most people won’t,” he said.
Boulay said he doesn’t see any change in sight in the short-term with more heat on the way to kick off June.
Summer warmth will hang on in the Twin Cities Wednesday, with some storms possible later in the day.
Highs will be in the upper 80s to near 90. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon and evening, mainly across southern Minnesota.
Thursday will be dry, warm and less humid, though highs will stay well above normal.
Friday will bring pleasant late-May weather with sunshine and highs mainly in the 80s.
The weekend looks to be quiet and comfortable as dry conditions continue.
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