No evidence of hate crime in Sam Nordquist's murder, police say

Authorities in New York have stated that the murder of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a transgender man from Minnesota, is not being investigated as a hate crime. Following public concern, investigators clarified that Nordquist and his assailants, all identified as members of the LGBTQ+ community, were known to each other, with one defendant having lived with him prior to the incident. Police charged five suspects with second-degree murder, alleging that Nordquist suffered months of torture before his death in February. His body was found in a field after his family reported him missing, and investigators believe he was killed in Ontario County before being moved to conceal his identity. The authorities expressed their commitment to uncovering the motive behind this brutal crime while acknowledging the fear it has instilled within the LGBTQ+ community. They emphasized the importance of not speculating on motives until the investigation is complete.