Two additional suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota who was killed in the Canandaigua-area then brought to Yates County after enduring months of torture.
New York State Police announced the arrests of Kimberly Sochia, 29, of Canandaigua, and Thomas Eaves, 21, of Geneva, on Thursday. Both were charged with second-degree murder with depraved indifference and taken to the Ontario County Jail to await arraignment.
Their arrests bring the total number of suspects in the case to seven. Earlier this week, a grand jury indicted five other individuals—Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick Goodwin, 30; Emily Motyka, 19; Precious Arzuaga, 38; and Jennifer Quijano, 30—on the same charges.
Nordquist was reported missing on February 9, and days later, his remains were found in Yates County. Authorities believe the murder took place in Ontario County before the body was moved in an attempt to cover up the crime.
Investigators say Nordquist endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse from December 2024 to February 2025. Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts has called the crime “beyond depraved.”
While some community members have raised concerns that the killing may have been a hate crime due to Nordquist’s transgender identity, law enforcement officials say they have no current evidence supporting that classification. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered state agencies to assist in the investigation.
Authorities continue to investigate the suspects’ relationships with Nordquist and the events leading up to his murder. Those with information are urged to contact New York State Police.
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