Sam Nordquist’s family honored his memory at Rochester’s first Trans Pride Festival on Sept. 5, according to 13WHAM.
His mother, Linda, and sister, Kayla, spoke at the North Clinton Avenue event and presented the first Sam’s Legacy Award to transgender advocate Brittan Bowick-Hardgers.
Authorities said Nordquist, 24, of Minnesota, endured weeks of torture before his body was found in a Yates County field in February 2025.
Precious Arzuga and Jennifer Quijano are scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday in Ontario County Court in connection with his death.
Four of the seven defendants have pleaded guilty, while three await separate trials.
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