Canandaigua, N.Y. – District Attorney Jason MacBride disclosed Friday that Shirley Morales, 56, the mother of Precious Arzuaga, was taken into custody by New York State Police. Morales is linked to the high‑profile murder case involving a transgender man whose body was discovered in a Yates County field.
Background of the case
Sam Nordquist, 24, a transgender man from Oakdale, Minnesota, traveled to the Finger Lakes region in September 2024 and stayed at Patty’s Lodge in Hopewell. Authorities say he was subjected to torture from Jan. 1 to Feb. 2, 2025, before his remains were found on Feb. 13, 2025.
Precious Arzuaga pleaded guilty on June 26 to first‑degree murder and related charges and was sentenced on Sept. 8 to life in prison without parole. Six additional defendants face murder charges; four have already pleaded guilty, and the remaining three are slated for trial, with the first trial set for January.
Arrest details
MacBride confirmed that Morales was arrested on Friday, but he did not provide specifics regarding the reasons for her detention. The investigation continues as prosecutors work to determine the extent of her involvement in the crime.
The case has drawn significant attention in Ontario County and beyond, highlighting concerns about violent crime and the safety of transgender individuals in the region.
Next steps
Authorities have not announced any further charges against Morales at this time. The district attorney’s office indicated that additional information will be released as the investigation progresses.
Original reporting: CNY Central WSTM (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
