A vigil will take place Monday evening in memory of a victim who police say was abused and murdered in Ontario County.
Members of the Ontario County community will gather at 6 p.m. at the Wood Library in Canandaigua to remember 24-year-old Sam Nordquist.
Another candlelight vigil will take place Tuesday at the Presbyterian Church in Geneva from 6-8 p.m.
Police say Nordquist's body was found in a field in Yates County last week after he was reported missing on Feb. 9. The transgender man, originally from Minnesota, arrived in New York in September and had lost contact with loved ones, according to investigators.
According to investigators, five suspects are accused of physically and psychologically abusing him for more than a month before his death. Police say the suspects killed him in Ontario County and then moved his body to help cover their tracks.
The DA's office released a joint statement with the New York State Police on Sunday to address public concerns while emphasizing the investigation is still in the early stages. They're urging the community not to speculate.
The statement says Nordquist's alleged assailants also identified as LGBTQ+ and at least one was roommates with Nordquist. The Ontario County District Attorney's Office says it doesn't have any indication the killing was a hate crime.
Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement calling the charges sickening, adding she's praying for Nordquist's family and calling for justice on his behalf.
