Overview
- Precious Arzuaga pleaded guilty Friday to 11 counts including first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault, concealment of a human corpse, conspiracy, coercion, and endangering the welfare of a child.
- Prosecutors and a grand jury indictment say Nordquist was subjected to weeks of physical and sexual torture, forced to consume bodily waste, and found dead wrapped in plastic in a Yates County field on February 13, 2025.
- Arzuaga admitted a central leadership role in the group prosecutors describe as carrying out the abuse and has told the court she accepted responsibility while her attorney said no formal plea deal was offered.
- Several other people remain charged in the case and one co-defendant, Emily Motyka, pleaded guilty earlier this month to second-degree murder and kidnapping and faces 15 years to life in prison.
- Nordquist’s family attended the hearing and expressed grief and doubt about the full truth while prosecutors note a separate federal inquiry and remaining state trials that will determine final accountability.