Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"If the roles were reversed a white woman and two Lakota men somebody would have been convicted years ago whether they did it or not." — B Medicine (Anthropologist)
"It's important for the family and the community to see our little Nikki is a killer." — Prosecutor
"We had a picture of my grandma candy which is the only picture I've ever seen of her framed and in a box with the rest of my baby things I used to hunt for that framed picture at a very young age and when I found it I'd sit in the hallway and cry." — Mercedes Ruff's Surface (Granddaughter)
This episode of Crime Junkie chronicles the devastating murder of Candace Ruff's Surface, an 18-year-old mother whose life was tragically cut short in 1980 on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. The initial report of her disappearance was met with skepticism and a lack of urgency from law enforcement, who suggested she might have simply run off. Candace's family, particularly her mother Alberta, faced significant resistance in their efforts to have her declared missing and an investigation launched. The podcast highlights the stark contrast in how missing persons cases were handled based on race, suggesting that had Candace been white, the investigation might have proceeded with greater diligence.
The discovery of Candace's body nine months later by a ranch hand revealed the brutal extent of the crime, including multiple gunshot wounds and evidence of sexual and physical assault. The investigation, however, remained slow-moving for years, hampered by a lack of resources and focus. A significant breakthrough finally occurred in 1995 when James Stroh, who was present at the time of the murder, confessed during a contentious divorce proceeding. Stroh implicated his cousin, Nick Sheer, who was a local prominent figure. The case was complicated by the fact that both perpetrators were juveniles at the time of the crime, leading to legal complexities and a lengthy wait for justice for Candace's family.
The episode underscores the profound intergenerational trauma and systemic racism that plagued the Standing Rock community. The community's frustration is palpable, as justice was delayed for fifteen years, requiring a confession facilitated by a divorce in another state. While Nick Sheer was ultimately sentenced to 100 years in prison and James Stroh to 15 years (serving seven), the podcast emphasizes that the path to justice was fraught with systemic failures and racial bias. The lasting impact on Candace's son, Homer, and her granddaughter, Mercedes, illustrates how such tragedies ripple through families and communities for generations.