UPDATE: 11 A.M., 02/17/2025 -- Authorities have released an update on the investigation into the murder of a 24-year-old Trans man from Minnesota found dead in a Yates County Field. According the Ontario County District Attorney, the investigation into the alleged murder and torture of Sam Norquist has determined his death was not a hate crime. 

"At this time we have no indication that Sam’s murder was a hate crime. To help alleviate the understandable concern his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense," said the D.A.'s Office in a statement. 

The DA also confirmed that Norquist was murdered in Ontario County, and that his body was left in Yates County. Along with giving an update on the case, the D.A. also asked for people to not speculate on the motive behind the murder of Norquist. 

"The District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Police are committed to providing a safe community for all people. We share the community’s shock at such a heinous act of violence, and understand the fear circulating amongst members of the LGBTQ+ community. We will follow any and all leads to ensure that the motive for this murder is uncovered," said the Ontario County D.A.'s Office. 

YATES COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- A missing transgender man was found dead in a field in Yates County, after being missing for weeks. Police say he was tortured for months before his killing.

Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old originally from Minnesota, was found dead in a field off of Payne Rd. in Benton. He was staying in a motel in the Canandaigua area, and was last seen in early February. Nordquist "endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse" leading up to his death, according to authorities.

According to Rochester affiliate 13-WHAM, five people are facing murder charges over Nordquist's death. Kyle Sage, 33, Patrick Goodwin, 30, Precious Arzuaga, 38, Emily Motyka, 19, and Jennifer Quijano, 30, are all charged with second-degree murder. They are all facing charges in Ontario County.

"The facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved," Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts 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."

Nordquist's death remains under investigation. Authorities haven't ruled out the potential of a hate crime in the case.