The killing of a transgender man in upstate New York is not believed to be a hate crime, according to prosecutors, who said some of the alleged assailants were part of the LGBTQ community.

One of the suspects had even lived with the victim, a biological woman named Sam Nordquist, who was savagely beaten and tortured for weeks before dying, prosecutors said.

Ontario County prosecutors shared the case update Sunday evening after Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said she was dedicating resources to see if a hateful motive prompted the “horrific and brutal killing” of transgender man Sam Nordquist last week.

“At this time we have no indication Sam’s murder was a hate crime,” Ontario County District Attorney James Ritt and New York State Police said in a joint statement. 

“To help alleviate the understandable concern his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense,” it said.

Authorities charged five people with second-degree murder in Mr. Nordquist’s death — Precious Azuaga, 38; Patrick Goodwin, 30; Emily Motyka, 19; Jennifer Quijano, 30, and Kyle Sage, 33.

New York State Capt. Kelly Swift on Friday said the victim, a 24-year-old biological woman who identifies as a man, suffered “repeated acts of torture and violence” leading up to his death days earlier.

That included more than a month of physical and psychological abuse carried out against Mr. Nordquist while he lived in a motel in Hopewell, according to police.

Mr. Nordquist, who is originally from Minnesota, was first reported missing Feb. 9 by his family. Investigators said they found his corpse in an open field in nearby Yates County on Feb. 12.

Court documents said the five suspects punched and kicked Mr. Nordquist, and also beat him with sticks, belts, dog toys and rope canes during the monthlong abuse. The filing said the assailants attacked Mr. Nordquist with a table leg and a broomstick shortly before his death.

Prosecutors said they will aggressively investigate the motive for this “heinous act of violence” to help assuage fears for the local LGBTQ residents.

“The charges against these individuals are sickening and all New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act,” Ms. Hochul said. “We are praying for Sam Nordquist’s family, community and loved ones who are experiencing unimaginable grief.”

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.