CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – Five people are facing murder charges after New York State Police say a 24-year-old was tortured repeatedly for a month before he was killed.

Troopers found the body of Sam Nordquist, a transgender man, in a field in Yates County off Payne Road. Investigators have not said if the victim being transgender played a role in his murder. He was reported missing in early February after his family lost contact with him and he was last seen in Canandaigua. Nordquist is from Minnesota and traveled to the Finger Lakes area last September.

At a news conference on Friday, Captain Kelly Swift of the NYSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations said Nordquist endured “prolonged physical and physiological abuse” starting in December.

Michelle Pickard, a family friend, was at Friday’s press conference while the family traveled from Minnesota. “It’s disgusting the things that are out there. I just pray for Sam. I pray for [Sam’s] family and […] friends.”

“In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most horrific crimes I have ever investigated,” Swift said.

Police made the arrests after searching a room at Patty’s Lodge Motel in Hopewell, Ontario County on Feb. 13. Troopers didn’t specify exactly where the abuse happened.

“Our investigation has revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately resulted in Sam’s tragic death,” Swift said.

“Everybody was here. They loved Sam, and they were devastated by what’s happened to Sam. But they’ve all come together, and it’s a terrible thing that happened. But it’s a nice thing to see the community come together and work together. For Sam,” Pickard shared.

According to troopers, Patty’s Lodge Motel was the last location where Nordquist was known to be staying. Troopers were looking for him in the Geneva or Canandaigua areas. Troopers say these people have been charged with second-degree murder:

• Precious Arzuaga, 38, of Canandaigua
• Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester
• Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva
• Patrick Goodwin, 30, of Canandaigua
• Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima

Troopers are still investigating the murder and are asking anyone with information to call (585)-398-4100 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.

Swift could not comment on the relationship between Nordquist and the suspects or the relationship between the suspects with one another. Next steps include searching the suspect cell phones for electronic evidence. You can see the full news conference here: