On February 13, 2025, the body of Sam Nordquist, a Black transgender man, was found in Yates County, New York. Investigators said stated that Sam was killed after suffering months of prolonged physical and psychological torture. Sam was 24 years old, worked as a group home aide, and had been reported missing by his family on February 9.
“He would give you the shirt off his back, very kind, loved his family, loved his nieces and nephew, very outgoing, worked hard,” Sam’s mother Linda told WROC.
New York State Police charged five people Friday with murder in Nordquist’s killing. Officials investigating Sam’s murder issued a statement over the weekend: “At this time we have no indication that Sam’s murder was a hate crime. To help alleviate the understandable concern [that] 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.”
Law enforcement’s swift action in investigating the horrific act is welcomed, but experts warn against prematurely dismissing hate crime charges. Investigators are urged to consider that anti-LGBTQ hate can originate from any individual, irrespective of their connection to the victim or personal identity. Multiple studies have shown, for example, that transgender and gender non-conforming people are at increased risk of experiencing intimate partner violence.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement, reading in part: “The charges against these individuals are sickening and all New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act…there must be justice for Sam Nordquist.” New York Attorney General Letitia James responded as well, stating in part: “This is beyond horrifying, and those responsible for this terrible act must be held accountable.”
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, whose record in office and whose campaign for Vice President included support for transgender adults and youth, posted, “This is deeply disturbing. Minnesota stands with our LGBTQ neighbors against this unthinkable crime. I’m grateful to the law enforcement agencies investigating. Gwen and I send our deepest condolences to Sam’s family and community.”
This is deeply disturbing. Minnesota stands with our LGBTQ neighbors against this unthinkable crime.
I’m grateful to the law enforcement agencies investigating. Gwen and I send our deepest condolences to Sam’s family and community.
apnews.com/article/new-…
— Governor Tim Walz (@governorwalz.mn.gov) February 15, 2025 at 1:36 PM
In Sam’s home state of Minnesota, out trans State Representative Leigh Finke shared a memorial post for Sam on her social media, including: “I am sorry, Sam. You deserved a whole life, full of love and joy and peace, and you instead received the cruelest violence imaginable. All of our love, to Sam, to his loved ones. We will never stop fighting for our freedom. Trans liberation now.”
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The Face to Face Academy, where Nordquist had been a student, posted a fond remembrance from classmates who described him as “a friend without limits.” Jade Nelson (Class of December 2018) wrote: “A memory I’ll always cherish is back in high school with you. I was going through a lot and you noticed before anyone that I wasn’t okay. You were still new at Face to Face, and we barely knew each other then. But that didn’t stop you from checking in on me. You didn’t even know me, yet you didn’t hesitate to pull me aside and say you were there for me. I told you that you gave the best hugs. You told me that when you’re down, you just try to think of things that make you happy.”
Outfront Minnesota and LGBTQ partners in the state issued a statement that reads, “OutFront Minnesota and our community partners mourn the loss of Sam Nordquist. We mourn his loss and share our deepest sympathies with all those who were close to him.
We know this arrives at a time our trans communities are facing a relentless assault of harmful policy and rhetoric across our nation. We know that this landscape escalates and amplifies the individual risk of violence. Trans lives matter, and we must all commit ourselves to the work of ending violence and discrimination. In Minnesota, and beyond.”
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New York LGBTQ organization The New Pride Agenda issued a statement: “We are devastated and enraged by the horrific murder of Sam Nordquist, a Minnesotan whose life was brutally taken in the Finger Lakes region after enduring weeks of torture. While arrests have been made, we know this is not an isolated incident—it is a tragic consequence of the rising culture of hate in our society. We must continue to fight for a world where all LGBTQ+ people are safe, valued, and free from violence.”
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GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, “Our hearts are broken over the loss of Sam Nordquist. Sam was more than just a statistic—he was a son, a brother, a friend, and a bright light in the lives of those who knew him. His life was stolen from him after enduring unspeakable cruelty. We stand in solidarity with Sam’s family, friends, and community as they demand justice. We refuse to let Sam’s story fade into silence. We demand accountability, we demand justice, and we demand a world where transgender people are safe, respected, and able to live freely.”
GLAAD’s ALERT Desk, which tracks incidents of anti-LGBTQ hate in the US, reported more than 800 anti-trans incidents in the US since June 2022. These include 120+ bomb threats, 55+ assaults, and 30+ cases of vandalism specifically targeting transgender and gender non-conforming people. People of color also made up 84% of all fatal violence targeting trans and gender-expansive victims since 2013, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
A group of about 100 people gathered in below zero temperatures on February 17 on the steps of the state Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota (below).
A vigil to celebrate Sam’s life and enduring legacy will be held on Friday, February 21, at The Church of the Village in New York City. More details can be found here.
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If you are in crisis, please reach out for help –
Trans Lifeline: (877) 565-8860
The Trevor Project’s Suicide Hotline: (866) 488-7386