X-twitter Facebook-f Pinterest-p
X-twitter Facebook-f Pinterest-p

Sam Nordquist’s family struggles with his death



Photos of a man

A Minnesota man was set to meet the woman of his dreams in the fall of 2024 after connecting on TikTok. Sam Nordquist bought a round-trip ticket to Rochester, N.Y., where he expected to stay for two weeks.

But he never saw his Oakdale home again.

Linda Nordquist said she witnessed her 24-year-old son falling head over heels with his new girlfriend.

“They were literally on the phone, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they would sleep on that phone,” she said.

Related coverage

Linda Nordquist said she spoke with Precious Arzuaga and she seemed nice. But Sam’s sister Kayla Nordquist was not a fan of the 14-year age gap between the two, she said. And the mother and sister both disagreed with Sam’s planned trip to visit Arzuaga in upstate New York.

“I really didn’t want Sam to go. I said, ‘you don’t know anybody there. We’ve never been in New York. We don’t know nothing about it. You’d have no friends, no family there.’”

Sam, the youngest of his mother’s three children, pushed back, according to Linda Nordquist.

“You have to let me grow up and spread my wings,” Sam Nordquist told his mother.

“So I said ‘fine,’” she said.

A woman holds a piece of art
Sam Nordquist’s mother, Linda Nordquist, holds a portrait of her son in his former bedroom in Oakdale on March 12.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

In late September, Linda Nordquist said her goodbyes at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

“I took Sam to the airport, gave him a kiss on the cheek, told him be safe and to check in with me. He said, ‘I will.’”

The day of his return flight — Oct. 12 — came and went. No Sam.

Everything was fine at the beginning of the trip, Linda Nordquist said. But the calls became less frequent, and his family started to worry — to the point where Kayla Nordquist asked Sam for a video of him and Arzuaga as proof of life.

“I promise you I’m not hurting your brother. I would never hurt him. I really love your brother,” Arzuaga said directly to the camera in the recording.

A more than 2-minute video appears to show Precious and Sam in her home. Sam doesn’t speak much in the video, and Precious has her arm around Sam.

“I’ve never put your brother in a situation where he feels he’s scared. I just love him, and I care for him a lot,” Arzuaga said in the video.

A person holds a sign reading "#justiceforsam"
A supporter holds a sign honoring Sam Nordquist, a 24-year-old transgender man from Oakdale who was found dead last week in New York, in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
Ben Hovland | MPR News 2025

In February 2025, Linda Nordquist reported her son missing. Four days later on Feb. 13, she and her adult children were on the road to New York’s Finger Lakes region to help in the search.

Linda brought a bullhorn so Sam could hear their voices during the search. She also had some of Sam’s clothing for the dogs involved in the search to sniff his scent.

Then, a call came in from New York law enforcement, Kayla Nordquist said. “I remember the words, ‘I’m sorry, but we found a body,’” she recalled.

Police said Sam Nordquist was physically and sexually assaulted. He was also psychologically abused. His body was found wrapped in black trash bags.

Seven people including Arzuaga and her adult son, Thomas Eaves, are accused of torturing and killing Sam Nordquist. The other defendants are Jennifer A. Quijano, Kyle R. Sage, Patrick Goodwin, Emily Motyka and Kimberly Sochia.

They have all pleaded not guilty. Arzuaga was also charged with two counts of coercion for forcing her two children, then aged 7 and 12, to participate in Nordquist’s torture.

New York investigators say Sam Nordquist was held against his will for about a month in Arzuaga’s apartment at Patty’s Lodge. They estimate he died Feb. 2 due to the multiple injuries he sustained.

Two women leave a stage
Sam Nordquist’s sister, Kayla (center), and mother, Linda (left) leave the stage after speaking at a rally in support of victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul on March 11.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

“Our investigators executed a search warrant at Patty’s Lodge room number 22 in the town of Hopewell as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Sam Nordquist,” Capt. Kelly Swift said in a press conference after the body was discovered. “Our investigation has revealed a deeply disturbing pattern of abuse that ultimately resulted in Sam’s tragic death.”

The suspects allegedly moved his body in an attempt to conceal the crime, investigators said.

“The facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved. This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been a part of it,” former Ontario County District Attorney Jim Ritts said.

Former first Assistant District Attorney Kelly Wolford said Sam was restrained and had no access to his phone.

“He was denied proper nutrition and hydration. He was fed feces. He was forced to drink urine and chew spit. They physically restrained him. They forced him to obey their commands, treating him like a dog,” Wolford said.

An Ontario County Grand Jury charged each defendant with first degree murder. This charge carries the most significant penalty under New York state law, according to Wolford.

“It’s a rare circumstance where we stand before you and charge this subdivision of murder in the first degree, where it alleges that somebody was tortured to death,” she said.

A cat
Sam Nordquist’s cat Storm sits in the living room of his mother’s Oakdale home on March 12.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

The charge, she added, specifically requires that prosecutors prove that the defendants tortured Sam Nordquist.

“And that they did so because they enjoyed it. That’s what murder in the first degree is,” Wolford said.

All seven defendants will be tried separately and the first case set for trial will be Arzuaga’s in September. The other six have not been scheduled yet, but Eaves, Arzuaga’s son, and another defendant will appear in court April 22.

Nordquist was an Black transgender man. Some have asked why hate crime charges have not been applied against the defendants. Wolford said the case is bigger than a hate crime.

“Sam was beaten, assaulted, sexually abused, starved, held captive and we cannot make sense of that. We cannot put that on his gender, and we cannot put that on his race,” she said during a press conference last year. “And I know many will ask the question, why? Well, as I stand here today as a human being, we’ll never know the answer, why. Because what human being could do, what happened to Sam.”

It’s been just over a year since Sam’s funeral, but his memory is still alive. His case made its way to all corners of the world. Linda Nordquist said people from all over — Africa, Ireland, Australia, just to name a few — have reached out to the family. A 1,500-member “Justice for Sam” Facebook page was created and Linda and Kayla Nordquist are active members.

A woman poses in a stairwell
Sam Nordquist’s sister Kayla Nordquist at the Minnesota State Capitol on March 11.
Ben Hovland | MPR News

But keeping his memory alive means remembering the trauma of their loss as well. Kayla Nordquist said it’s been tough.

“A whole year has gone by, and my heart feels the same. It’s completely shattered since the day I found out that he was gone,” she said. “I don’t think any amount of time will ever put it back together. I’m still heartbroken.”

The horrifying details of the case haunt seemingly average aspects of the Nordquists' daily lives.

“A year has passed, and I still have not been able to smell bleach without wanting to throw up.”

The seven defendants used bleach on Sam, according to the indictment, so they won’t use it. And Linda said she avoids certain trash bags that look like the ones wrapped around Sam's body.

“Me and Kayla won’t use a black garbage bag with gray handles. I have turquoise,” she said.

Linda Nordquist, Kayla Nordquist and her three children recently drove to New York for some meetings with the new Ontario County District Attorney and his staff. They also visited a willow tree planted last June for Sam Nordquist. It’s right on Canandaigua Lake, one of the main Finger Lakes.

A woman and her young daughter stand next to a tree growing on a lake shoreline. Snow has blanketed the ground.
Kayla Nordquist and her daughter Peyton stand next to a willow tree in Canandaigua, N.Y., in March. The tree is dedicated to her brother Sam Nordquist, who was tortured and killed last year in nearby Hopewell, N.Y. The tree is in Lakefront Park on Canandaigua Lake.
Courtesy of Kayla Nordquist

Rochester, New York-area supporters of Sam Nordquist and his family have raised money for them after his death. Some advocates are working to honor Sam Nordquist again with a Japanese cherry blossom tree to be planted in Oakdale — where he lived with his mother.

When all seven trials are over, Linda Nordquist plans to move out of the home she shared with her son, she said.

“When I do move, I am taking pictures of Sam’s bedroom, and I’m gonna have it replicated,” Linda Nordquist said. “It’ll be how he has it. In a new place.”

Sam’s mother and sister said they will attend every trial in his case.



Source link

Leave a Reply

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our latest articles delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, we promise.

Best Sandals & Summer Shoes to Rock in the Warmer Weather

If You Never Received a Form 1099, Do You Still Have to Report the Income? – Houston Tax Attorneys

BRB Risk Jobs Board — Senior Conflicts Analyst (Hinckley Allen)

Ethics and Conflicts — “DePlorable” Lawyer Band Conflict Alleged, Judicial Campaign Contribution Conflicts Ethics Opinion, Investigating Judicial Financial Stakes

What is PeopleSoft | Oracle PeopleSoft Applications

If You Never Received a Form 1099, Do You Still Have to Report the Income? – Houston Tax Attorneys

BRB Risk Jobs Board — Senior Conflicts Analyst (Hinckley Allen)

Ethics and Conflicts — “DePlorable” Lawyer Band Conflict Alleged, Judicial Campaign Contribution Conflicts Ethics Opinion, Investigating Judicial Financial Stakes

The EU is investigating Snapchat over possible child protection breaches

If You Never Received a Form 1099, Do You Still Have to Report the Income? – Houston Tax Attorneys

BRB Risk Jobs Board — Senior Conflicts Analyst (Hinckley Allen)

Ethics and Conflicts — “DePlorable” Lawyer Band Conflict Alleged, Judicial Campaign Contribution Conflicts Ethics Opinion, Investigating Judicial Financial Stakes

Recent Reviews

What is PeopleSoft | Oracle PeopleSoft Applications


What is Peoplesoft – Table of Content

What is Peoplesoft?

PeopleSoft is a database application with the objective of providing business solutions in the areas of human resources, finance, and many more. It is a web application that may be used from any PC with access to the Internet. It can be configured so that it works with an organization’s business processes. 

Peoplesoft is an oracle product and is a collection of applications that medium and large companies integrate as workforce management solutions. Originally, PeopleSoft application was developed to support human resources and finance, over the years, however Peoplesoft has expanded with a great number of applications and tools for corporate business activities. Some uses that corporations and businesses are having for integrating PeopleSoft comprise many aspects of management such as communications, materials, and payroll management.

         We have the perfect professional PeopleSoft Admin Training course for you. Enroll now!

 

The following are popular applications that PeopleSoft includes:

  • PeopleSoft Selective Adoption 9.2 allows you to select the updates you would like to apply and when you want. It will enable you to keep key strategic customizations in the settings and measures you evaluate. It also delivers updates approximately every ten weeks.
  • PeopleSoft Application Engine allows us to develop, test, and run programs online or in batches that can handle a high background volume. These programs are similar to the COBOL applications, however the PeopleSoft application engine offers more effective updates because the program database includes all the necessary data to update it.
  • PeopleSoft in Oracle Cloud provides access to PeopleSoft products from Oracle Cloud. Oracle Compute Cloud and Marketplace enables companies to access and deploy a variety of PeopleSoft applications, like PeopleSoft Human Capital Management and commercial applications.
  • With the PeopleSoft deployment framework, we can transfer data into virtual systems in the Oracle cloud. In addition, Data can also be migrated from PeopleSoft Development and Testing into Oracle Cloud.
  • PeopleTools 8.55 is the same as PeopleSoft Deployment Framework as we may transfer customized data to Oracle Cloud and build several cluster nodes in the Oracle Cloud and PeopleSoft database.

All the above are some applications for companies to use in the PeopleSoft suite. According to the management requirements of the business, users can try a selected line of products to track, manage, and plan the operations of the business.

PeopleSoft Admin Training

  • Master Your Craft
  • Lifetime LMS & Faculty Access
  • 24/7 online expert support
  • Real-world & Project Based Learning

What is the purpose of the PeopleSoft software?

Basically, PeopleSoft applications are the tools used by large companies to effectively manage customer relationships, enterprise performance, human resources, financial and supply chains using Customer relationship management system, enterprise performance management system, human resources management system, and financial and supply chain management system.
Human resources management system: Along with payroll management, the HR department can monitor the hiring process from the posting of job openings and the selection of candidates to arranging interviews and the orientation of new employees. Peoplesoft’s Human resources management system also enables the Human resources department to access and manage employee information and timesheets and update key information such as taxes and benefits.

Customer relationship management system: It allows the companies to organize and manage each step of marketing processes using Peoplesoft customer relationship management. All the data related to marketing metrics, sales analytics, customer conversation, satisfaction, and purchases can be managed using the PeopleSoft application.

Financial and Supply Chains Management: It allows users to make inquiries of requesters, review the results of the evaluation of listed vendors, enter project balances, and alter project team tasks such as integration and completion dates. Additional uses of PeopleSoft covers import templates, update time reports, delete outdated spreadsheets, and the capability to organize and carry out mass transactions.

Enterprise performance management: It is helpful in identifying reports and specific execution control parameters for report processing, selecting the frequency of execution of a process, defining and changing the dates of the project and process, and streamlining the management of operations between the departments within an enterprise.

These core uses of the PeopleSoft software suite are the most common to businesses and companies. With respect to the human resources management system, PeopleSoft is proving to be a very effective solution to streamline, track and monitor typical processes of this type of department. As a result, Human Resources rely on PeopleSoft applications to organize employee information, tasks, payroll, departments and benefits, and employee benefits.

Want to Become a Master in PeopleSoft Financial? Then visit HKR to Learn PeopleSoft Financial Training!

others, what-is-peoplesoft-description-0, others, what-is-peoplesoft-description-1

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new updates..!

What benefits does PeopleSoft provide?

Peoplesoft gives a single system of record input and reporting abilities for all the financial transactions in all UMBC units.

  • The end-user completes transactions and enters the system only once and makes it accessible for multiple purposes like human resources, financial, reporting, etc.
  • Monitoring the status of transactions is available online, which almost eliminates the need for multiple phone calls about the status of transactions.
  • A number of transactions are processed online like purchase orders, pcard, requisition, position management, etc.
  • Approval of Transactions has been made simpler.
  • Some of the transactions may be approved and can be submitted online, resulting in internal controls and reducing the need to move documents from one office to another.
  • Signatures needed for standard business processes have been reduced while remaining consistent with state policies.
  • Capacity to produce general reports in real-time.
  • Business practices can be accessible from anywhere, on-campus or off-campus, at all times, as long as you have a computer along with a PeopleSoft Security connection and internal access.

How can PeopleSoft help you build a career?

How can PeopleSoft help in career advancement and skill development?
PeopleSoft offers a wealth of career advancement and skill development opportunities. By becoming proficient in PeopleSoft applications, individuals can advance their careers in the technology field. They can also continuously develop their skills as PeopleSoft is constantly updated with new technology, allowing users to stay ahead of the curve and up to date with the latest technological developments.

How can PeopleSoft help in gaining cross-functional knowledge and networking opportunities?
PeopleSoft applications in HR, CRM, FSCM, and EPM provide individuals with cross-functional knowledge. By working with these modules, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of various business processes and develop cross-functional expertise. Additionally, PeopleSoft users have the opportunity to connect and network with professionals both inside and outside their organization, which can lead to personal and professional growth.

How can PeopleSoft help in improving communication and teamwork abilities?
PeopleSoft requires collaboration and communication with multiple departments and stakeholders. This collaborative environment fosters the improvement of communication and teamwork abilities. By working with different teams and departments within the organization, individuals can enhance their communication skills and develop effective teamwork abilities.

How can PeopleSoft help in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills?
PeopleSoft requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which can be further developed and utilized in other areas. By using PeopleSoft, individuals can enhance their critical thinking abilities by streamlining processes, managing projects, and effectively analyzing data. These skills can be transferred and applied in various aspects of their career.

How can PeopleSoft help in increasing job security?
Using PeopleSoft can increase job security because businesses will always need individuals who can effectively manage HR, CRM, FSCM, and EPM processes. As PeopleSoft skills are in high demand, individuals with these skills are more likely to have job security and stability in their careers.

How can PeopleSoft help in opening up new job opportunities with other organizations?
PeopleSoft skills are in high demand in the job market, which can open up new job opportunities with other organizations. By showcasing your proficiency in PeopleSoft applications, you can demonstrate your ability to effectively manage various business processes and increase your chances of securing new job opportunities.

How can PeopleSoft help in advancing within your current organization?
PeopleSoft can help in advancing within your current organization by providing the opportunity to acquire a valuable and sought-after skill set. By becoming proficient in PeopleSoft applications, you can effectively manage HR, CRM, FSCM, and EPM processes, which can contribute to career advancement within the organization.

                  Click here to get frequently asked PeopleSoft Admin interview questions for freshers & experienced professionals

PeopleSoft Admin Training

Weekday / Weekend Batches

What is the future outlook for PeopleSoft?

The future outlook for PeopleSoft appears highly promising, projecting it to remain a leading enterprise software solution for an extensive period of time. Its continued success is attributed to several key factors. One such factor lies in its substantial and dependable user base, which has consistently relied on PeopleSoft’s capabilities and expansive range of features. Additionally, PeopleSoft has established a commendable track record of delivering powerful and efficient solutions to its clientele. These factors make PeopleSoft an increasingly preferred option for companies, regardless of their size or industry. As a result, it is anticipated that PeopleSoft will continue to thrive and maintain its prominence in the enterprise software market for the foreseeable future.

What is PeopleSoft CRM and what features does it provide?

PeopleSoft CRM is a powerful customer relationship management (CRM) solution developed by Oracle. Designed for enterprise-level organizations, it encompasses a wide range of tools and features that facilitate a deeper understanding of customers and drive enhancements in sales, marketing, and service performance. By leveraging PeopleSoft CRM, businesses can build robust customer relationships, foster customer loyalty, and seize more business opportunities.

One of the key features of PeopleSoft CRM is its analytics capabilities, enabling organizations to gain valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and trends. These insights can help businesses make informed decisions and develop effective strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and drive revenue growth.

In addition to analytics, PeopleSoft CRM also provides collaboration features that promote efficient communication and teamwork within the organization. This fosters collaboration among different departments or teams involved in managing customer relationships, leading to more targeted and personalized customer interactions.

Process automation is another noteworthy feature of PeopleSoft CRM, which streamlines and automates various customer-related processes. This ensures that businesses can efficiently manage and track customer interactions, sales cycles, and service requests, resulting in improved productivity and operational efficiency.

Moreover, PeopleSoft CRM offers seamless mobile integration, allowing users to access and interact with customer data on-the-go. By enabling mobile access, businesses can ensure that sales representatives and service agents are equipped with real-time customer information, empowering them to provide prompt and personalized service.

Overall, PeopleSoft CRM is a comprehensive solution that goes beyond basic CRM functionalities, offering powerful analytics, collaboration tools, process automation, and mobile integration features. It equips organizations with the capabilities needed to develop stronger customer relationships, increase customer loyalty, and capitalize on valuable business opportunities.

What is CRM’s complete form?

CRM’s complete form is an abbreviation for Customer Relationship Management.

What is the difference between SAP and PeopleSoft?

SAP and PeopleSoft are both software solutions aimed at enhancing operational efficiency within organizations, but they differ in terms of their primary focuses and functionalities. SAP places a strong emphasis on analytics and business intelligence, providing tools that enable companies to gather and analyze data to gain valuable insights. On the other hand, PeopleSoft’s software is designed to enhance specific departments within an organization, such as HR, CRP (Customer Relationship Management), and finance. It aims to streamline and improve processes within these departments, offering solutions tailored to their unique needs. Ultimately, while both SAP and PeopleSoft offer software solutions to streamline operations, SAP focuses on analytics and business intelligence, while PeopleSoft specializes in enhancing HR, CRP, and finance departments.

Is PeopleSoft a database?

No, PeopleSoft is not a database. While it does involve data management, PeopleSoft is primarily an enterprise resource planning (ERP) software designed to enhance operational efficiency, automate important business processes, and enhance customer satisfaction. While it does utilize databases to store and retrieve information, it goes beyond traditional database functionality to provide comprehensive solutions for businesses.

What is PeopleSoft HCM and what features does it offer?

PeopleSoft is an Oracle product that offers a wide range of applications and tools for medium and large companies seeking comprehensive workforce management solutions. Originally developed to support human resources and finance, PeopleSoft has expanded over the years to include numerous applications and tools to support various corporate business activities.

One of the notable applications within the PeopleSoft suite is PeopleSoft HCM (Human Capital Management). PeopleSoft HCM is designed to streamline and optimize the entire employee experience, from recruitment to retirement. This comprehensive ERP system enables organizations to efficiently store and manage employee data, measure performance, and facilitate seamless communication between departments and employees.

With PeopleSoft HCM, organizations can seamlessly navigate the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition for new hires. It also provides robust features to track and manage training and development initiatives, allowing businesses to invest in the growth and success of their workforce. Furthermore, PeopleSoft HCM simplifies payroll management, ensuring accurate and timely compensation for employees. Additionally, it offers performance review functionalities, enabling organizations to assess and enhance employee performance.

In addition to PeopleSoft HCM, the PeopleSoft suite encompasses a variety of other applications and tools that cater to different management requirements. For instance, PeopleSoft Selective Adoption 9.2 allows users to selectively apply updates and customize settings based on their specific needs. The PeopleSoft Application Engine empowers businesses to develop, test, and run high-volume programs efficiently. Furthermore, PeopleSoft in Oracle Cloud provides seamless access to PeopleSoft products, enabling companies to deploy and utilize PeopleSoft Human Capital Management and other commercial applications.

The PeopleSoft suite also incorporates the PeopleSoft Deployment Framework, which facilitates data migration to Oracle Cloud and allows for the creation of multiple cluster nodes and databases. These features enable businesses to leverage the power of the cloud while retaining their customized data and configurations.

In conclusion, PeopleSoft is a comprehensive suite of applications and tools, with PeopleSoft HCM serving as a vital component specifically designed for managing the entire employee lifecycle. Its features and functionalities, including employee data management, performance tracking, communication facilitation, onboarding support, training and development monitoring, payroll management, and performance reviews, empower organizations to maximize the potential and success of their workforce.

Conclusion:

In this blog, we have learned about Peoplesoft, the purpose of Peoplesoft software, the benefits of PeopleSoft, and how Peoplesoft can help us to build our careers. We hope you found all this information helpful. If you want to know any other details of Peoplesoft, feel free to comment below.

Another Related Articles:



Source link

Who Gets the Tax Credit When You Outsource Payroll to a PEO? – Houston Tax Attorneys

If You Never Received a Form 1099, Do You Still Have to Report the Income? – Houston Tax Attorneys

BRB Risk Jobs Board — Senior Conflicts Analyst (Hinckley Allen)

Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved.