Five people have been formally charged with second-degree murder after a Minnesota man was found dead in a field after he went missing, according to authorities in New York.

On Friday, officials with New York State Police announced the body of 24-year-old Sam Nordquist, a trans man, had been found, adding he had “endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse” and that they haven’t ruled out the potential of a hate crime.

According to police, Nordquist had arrived in New York state sometime in September and had been staying at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell. A search warrant was executed on Feb. 13 as part of their investigation, where authorities say they found a “deeply disturbing pattern” of abuse.

Authorities say they believe Nordquist endured repeated acts of violence and torture from late December to sometime in February, adding his body had been moved in an attempt to “conceal crime.”

Nordquists’s body was found in Benton, located southeast of Rochester, New York. A map showing that location can be found below.

The five people who police identified as suspects, all from various cities of New York state, are:

• Patrick A. Goodwin, 30
• Jennifer A. Quijano, 30
• Kyle R. Sage, 33
• Emily Jean Motyka, 19
• Precious N. Arzuaga, 38

Citing their ongoing investigation, authorities couldn’t say how the suspects knew each other, or knew Sam.

All five were arraigned Friday morning and are being held without bail. Authorities add a preliminary hearing has been set, and that they expect grand jury action soon.

Jim Ritts, the Ontario County District Attorney, said, “This is by far the worst homicide investigation that our office has ever been a part of. It is an ongoing investigation, so we are necessarily limited in the things that we can talk about. But no human being should have to endure what Sam endured.”

Ritts also said, “the facts and the circumstances of this crime are beyond depraved.”

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke to Kayla and Linda Nordquist, Sam’s sister and mother, as they drove to New York to meet with detectives Friday morning.

“We’re sick. I don’t have words. I don’t understand why someone would do that to another person,” Kayla said in a phone interview.

When Sam left Minnesota in September for a trip to New York, his loved ones had no idea they spoke to him for the last time.

“Sam was amazing. He would give the shirt off his back to help anyone. He wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Kayla said. “He would accept anybody for anything.”

Nordquist’s family said this incident stemmed from an online relationship.

His sister explained he went to New York to meet Arzuaga, who is now a suspect in his murder.

“I, off the bat, did not like Precious. I did not trust Precious and I begged Sam not to go meet her, but he felt that he was in love,” Kayla said.

His family is still trying to wrap their heads around how this could have happened.

“Why? What would have possessed you to do anything like that?” Linda added. “It’s really sick and disturbing.”

Facebook groups like Rochester LGBTQ+ Together and Red Wing PRIDE posted on social media about the homicide, condemning attacks on the trans community.

A GoFundMe for Nordquist’s family to travel out of state to New York has been set up.

Authorities are asking anyone who may have information on the case to contact New York State Police by calling 585-398-4100 or by emailing crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.