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Annie Mae Aquash's murder sent shockwaves across the entire Indigenous community in America after the young activist's body was discovered in a terrible state months after her disappearance. Annie was a First Nations activist and a Mi'kmaq tribal member who had made quite a name for herself due to her participation in some tightly significant movements.
Her murder, which took more than three decades to resolve, is the subject of Hulu's latest four-part docu-series, Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae, which premiered on November 26, 2024. The synopsis reads:
"Exploring the life and murder of Annie Mae Aquash, a Mi'kmaq woman from Nova Scotia, Canada whose death in the 1970s went unsolved for almost 30 years."
This case is filled with subtle but important details that go a long way to portray the horror of this murder. Scroll on for five such intriguing details about Annie Mae's murder.
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5 key details about Annie Mae's murder
1) Annie Mae seemingly disappeared after being seen with members of the AIM
As an active part of the AIM, it was not uncommon for Annie to stay with members of the organization. However, before her disappearance, she was last seen with three members of the organization, Arlo Looking Cloud, John Graham, and Theda Nelson Clarke, at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
She was never seen alive again. Two of the three people she was seen with would eventually be convicted of her murder.
2) Mae's murder was initially deemed to be from exposure
In a shocking twist, after her body was found in February 1976 by a rancher, it was alleged that she died from exposure (frostbite), effectively almost burying the murder case out of sight.
However, after requests made by the American Indian Movement and her family, her remains were exhumed and sent for another autopsy. This time, it was determined that she died from a gunshot wound to the head.
3) Mae was reportedly accused of being an FBI informant shortly before her death
According to prosecutors years later, there were rumors about Mae being an FBI informant, primarily because she was arrested twice and released rather easily in 1975. It is widely believed that AIM members decided to get rid of her due to this suspicion.
4) It took decades for the indictment to come after several failed attempts
While the authorities were nearly certain Mae was murdered by some members of AIM, there was never enough evidence to indict anyone. According to reports, Federal grand juries were called to hear testimony in her case in 1976, 1982, and 1994, but none of them charged the members of AIM.
It was only in 2004 that Arlo Looking Cloud and John Graham were formally indicted in the murder case.
5) Arlo Looking Cloud testified against John Graham and had his sentence reduced
Arlo Looking Cloud was the first person to be convicted of the crime. Though there was no physical evidence, a videotaped confession was used to convict him. He was sentenced to life in prison.
When John Graham stood trial years later, Looking Cloud testified against him, and his sentence was reduced to 20 years. He revealed that Graham had shot Annie Mae. Graham was sentenced to life in prison and remains there as of today. Looking Cloud was released in 2020.
Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae covers this case in detail. It is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
