2 Women Get Life Without Parole for Killing Sam Nordquist, 24
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 8
2 Women Get Life Without Parole for Killing Sam Nordquist, 24
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 8
Summary
Precious Arzuaga, 40, and Jennifer Quijano, 32, were sentenced Tuesday to life without parole for torturing and killing Sam Nordquist in an upstate New York motel.
The two had pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and concealing a human corpse after authorities said Nordquist was held hostage for weeks before his February 2025 death.
Seven people were indicted in the case: two other defendants have already pleaded guilty and await sentencing, while three more are scheduled to go to trial next year.
Judge Kristina A. Karle also ordered Arzuaga—described by prosecutors as the ringleader—to have no contact for life with her children, whom authorities said were forced to take part in Nordquist's torture.