A third defendant has pleaded guilty to murder for the killing of Sam Nordquist. Jennifer Quijano pleaded guilty Wednesday to all charges against her: murder, two counts of kidnapping, conspiracy, aggravated sexual abuse, concealment of a human corpse and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
Nordquist, 24, a transgender man from Oakdale, Minnesota, traveled to the Finger Lakes region in September 2024 and stayed at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell. Authorities said Nordquist’s body was found in a Yates County field. Ontario County District Attorney Jason MacBride said the crimes took place between January and February.
Prosecutors asked Quijano a series of questions in court Wednesday. She admitted her actions — including beating, kicking and sexually assaulting Nordquist — caused his death, and it was done for the gratification of herself and others. She also admitted to participating in concealing Nordquist’s body after his death.
Nordquist’s mother and sister were among those in the packed courtroom Wednesday. “I think of Sam crying and screaming and begging for help, and no one was helping him,” said Kayla Nordquist, Sam’s sister. “That’s what I think about in the courtroom and that’s what I hear.”
Two other defendants — Precious Arzuaga and Emily Motyka — previously pleaded guilty in the case. “When people start pleading guilty, I think that causes some momentum,” Assistant District Attorney James Nobles said. “There also is pressure from the federal investigation that would cause people to plead guilty here.”
The other four defendants — Kyle Sage, Patrick Goodwin, Kimberly Sochia and Thomas Eaves — are awaiting separate trials. Quijano’s sentencing is scheduled for September. Defense attorney Neil Gunther said the ongoing federal investigation carries the potential of the death penalty. “I think Ms. Quijano was remorseful from the beginning,” Gunther said. “She voluntarily went to the police station early on in this case, told the police what happened, her involvement.”
Whatever happens at sentencing, Kayla Nordquist still doesn’t feel like justice will ever be served for her brother. “I don’t think there’s any amount of justice. None. None,” she said. “There’s nothing they can say, there’s nothing they could do that would bring him back, and there’s just no justice.”
