A Third Person Admits Guilt in the Killing of Sam Nordquist

What Happened?

In Canandaigua, New York, a woman named Jennifer Quijano has now said in court that she is guilty of murdering Sam Nordquist. This makes her the third person to admit guilt in this very sad case.

Who Is Jennifer Quijano and What Did She Admit?

On Wednesday, Quijano told the court she was guilty of all the charges against her. These charges are like official labels for bad actions. Here is what she admitted to:

• Murder (causing someone to die on purpose)
• Two counts of kidnapping (taking someone and not letting them leave, two times)
• Conspiracy (planning bad things with others)
• Aggravated sexual abuse (very serious hurtful touching)
• Concealment of a human corpse (hiding a dead person’s body)
• Two counts of endangering the welfare of a child (putting a kid in danger, two times)

Who Was Sam Nordquist?

Sam Nordquist was a 24-year-old transgender man. "Transgender" means his gender identity was different from the sex he was given at birth. He was from Oakdale, Minnesota.

Here is a simple timeline of events:

1. In September 2024, Sam traveled to the Finger Lakes area and stayed at a place called Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell.
2. Between January 1 and February 2, 2025, authorities say Sam was tortured for weeks. Torture means being hurt again and again on purpose.
3. On February 13, 2025, Sam’s body was found in a field in Yates County.

Important Point: Ontario County District Attorney Jason MacBride said the torture happened over several weeks and led to Sam’s death.

What Did Quijano Say in Court?

Prosecutors (the lawyers trying to prove the crime) asked Quijano questions in court. She said:

• She beat, kicked, and sexually assaulted Sam.
• These actions caused his death.
• She did it for her own satisfaction and the satisfaction of others.
• She helped hide Sam’s body after he died.

Sam’s mom and sister were in the courtroom, which was full of people.

Kayla Nordquist, Sam’s sister, said:

"I think of Sam crying and screaming and begging for help, and no one was helping him. That’s what I think about in the courtroom and that’s what I hear."

Other People in the Case

Two other people already said they were guilty earlier:

• Precious Arzuaga
• Emily Motyka

Four more people are still waiting for their own trials (a formal court process to decide if they are guilty):

• Kyle Sage
• Patrick Goodwin
• Kimberly Sochia
• Thomas Eaves

Why Are People Pleading Guilty?

Assistant District Attorney James Nobles said:

"When people start pleading guilty, I think that causes some momentum. There also is pressure from the federal investigation that would cause people to plead guilty here."

"Momentum" here means once some people admit guilt, others may feel pushed to do the same. A "federal investigation" is a big study of the crime by the national government.

Important Point: The federal investigation could even mean the death penalty (being put to death by the government) is possible.

When Will Quijano Be Sentenced?

Quijano’s sentencing (when the judge decides her punishment) is planned for September 8.

Her defense attorney (the lawyer who defends her), Neil Gunther, said:

• Quijano felt sorry from the start.
• She went to the police early and told them what she did.

How Does the Family Feel?

Even with people admitting guilt, Kayla Nordquist says no punishment will ever feel like real justice for her brother.

She said:

"I don’t think there’s any amount of justice. None. None. There’s nothing they can say, there’s nothing they could do that would bring him back, and there’s just no justice."

Summary

Jennifer Quijano is the third person to plead guilty to the murder of Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man who was tortured for weeks and died in early 2025. She admitted to many crimes, including murder and hiding his body. Two others already pleaded guilty, and four more await trial. Her sentencing is set for September 8. The family says no outcome can bring Sam back or feel like true justice.

FAQ

1. What does "pleaded guilty" mean?
It means a person in court says, "Yes, I did the bad thing I am accused of." They admit they broke the law.

2. What is a transgender man?
A transgender man is someone who was labeled female when born but knows himself to be a boy or man inside.

3. What is the death penalty?
It is a punishment where the government ends a person’s life for a very serious crime.

4. Why are four people still awaiting trial?
They have not yet admitted guilt or been found guilty, so the court will have separate trials to decide what happened with them.

5. Will Jennifer Quijano be free after sentencing?
No. Sentencing is when the judge gives her punishment, which is usually prison time because her crimes are very serious.