CANANDAIGUA — Judge Kristina Karle presided over the sentencing hearing in Ontario County Court. Arzuaga is 40 years old, and Quijano is 32. More than 70 people filled the courtroom for the proceedings.

Arzuaga pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated sexual abuse, concealment of a human corpse, and endangering the welfare of a child. She also pleaded guilty to coercion. The court sentenced her to the maximum penalty on all 11 counts to which she pleaded guilty.

Quijano pleaded guilty to the same primary charges. In addition to her life sentence, she received 25 years to life for kidnapping, eight and one-third to 25 years for conspiracy in the second degree, and 25 years for aggravated sexual abuse in the first degree. Quijano was also sentenced to one to four years for concealment of a human corpse and 364 days for endangering the welfare of a child.

Arzuaga led a group that included Quijano, Arzuaga's son, and two children in beating, torturing, and sexually assaulting Nordquist. Arzuaga kept Nordquist in a dog cage. Quijano called Nordquist a "two-legged dog" in videos of the abuse.

Arzuaga and Quijano coerced Arzuaga's two children, aged 7 and 12, into participating in the beating of Nordquist. Prosecutors stated that Quijano's motive for participating in the crime was jealousy over Arzuaga's attention to Nordquist. Evidence presented included text messages.

Arzuaga sent a message stating, "Sam can never leave New York alive." Quijano sent a message on November 8 containing profanity and expressing a desire to harm Nordquist. She also sent a message stating, "I can't watch you lay with someone else."

"We all want to know why. Why was someone so good taken so tragically? Was it because Sam was everything you were not and will never be?" Judge Kristina Karle said during the hearing.

Linda Nordquist, the mother of Sam Nordquist, spoke about her son. "Sam had the gentlest heart of anyone I’ve ever known. He saw the good in people. Even when they did not deserve it," Linda Nordquist said.

Emily Motyka and Kyle Sage pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping. Kyle Sage's sentencing is scheduled for December 2, 2026. Emily Motyka's sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Patrick Goodwin, Thomas Eaves, and Kimberly Sochia have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to go to trial in January 2027. Quijano's defense attorneys are Kathleen Murante and William Gunther.

Federal investigators have considered bringing federal charges against Arzuaga. She could face the death penalty if convicted in federal court. Arzuaga was charged in a domestic abuse incident involving Quijano months before Nordquist arrived in Canandaigua.

Why It Matters

The case involves extreme violence and the participation of minors, drawing local attention. Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts called the case "by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been part of." The events span from 2024 to 2027, involving multiple defendants and complex legal proceedings.

The sentencing concludes the state-level proceedings for the two primary defendants, though federal considerations remain. The involvement of children in the abuse shows the severity of the coercion alleged by prosecutors. The case has prompted questions about the motives behind the violence, with jealousy cited as a primary factor by the prosecution.

Timeline

Arzuaga lured Nordquist to Canandaigua, New York, in September 2024 under the prospect of a romantic relationship. Nordquist left Minnesota on September 28, 2024, with a round-trip plane ticket to New York. Jennifer Quijano sent a text message on November 8 stating, "I really want to smash his (Nordquist's) face into the f***cking wall. I hate him with a passion."

Nordquist was held captive at Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua from January 1, 2025, to February 2, 2025. Nordquist was last heard from on January 1, 2025. Nordquist was reported missing by his family on February 9, 2025.

Nordquist's body was found in a field in Yates County, New York, on February 13, 2025. Nordquist's body was found wrapped in plastic.

What's New

Sara Van Strydonck described Jennifer Quijano as "the muscle" in the torture and killing of Nordquist. Precious Arzuaga and Jennifer Quijano coerced Arzuaga's two children, aged 7 and 12, into participating in the beating of Nordquist. Arzuaga said, "I want to say I'm sorry for what happened to Sam. I can't take back what happened, although I wish I could. Sam really did love me and my kids."

Arzuaga was charged in a domestic abuse incident involving Jennifer Quijano months before Nordquist arrived in Canandaigua. Arzuaga pleaded guilty in June 2026. Arzuaga was sentenced to the maximum penalty on all 11 counts to which she pleaded guilty. Investigators believe Nordquist died at a motel in Hopewell, New York.

How Sources Differ

The Ontario County Court indictment states that Arzuaga and Jennifer Quijano coerced Arzuaga's two children, aged 7 and 12, into participating in the beating of Nordquist. The Ontario County District Attorney statement indicates that prosecutors stated that Jennifer Quijano's motive for participating in the crime was jealousy over Arzuaga's attention to Nordquist.