In the quiet community of the Fort McDermitt Shoshone Paiute Tribe Reservation, which straddles the Nevada-Oregon border, the life of 31-year-old Adeline “Gug” Sam was tragically cut short on January 31, 2018. A member of the tribe, Adeline was known for her kind and generous spirit, often opening her home to those in need. She had a deep connection to her culture and was a beloved cousin, friend, and family member.
Her laughter and witty personality were staples in the lives of those who knew her, and she was known to give selflessly to others.
On that fateful January night, Adeline and her 40-year-old cousin, Amy Hinkey, were together at Adeline's home on the reservation. A man named Stoney Prior, a fellow tribe member and a distant relative of the cousins, was also present. At some point during the evening, Prior turned violent, using a shotgun to kill both women. Adeline was shot in the head and neck, while Amy suffered shotgun wounds to her head, stomach, and arm. The brutal act sent shockwaves through the tight-knit tribal community, leaving friends and family devastated and searching for answers.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the arrest of Stoney Prior, who was 43 years old at the time. During the legal proceedings that followed, it was revealed that Prior had confessed to the killings to multiple people, at one point boasting that he had “blown their heads off.” According to court records, Prior’s motive for the murders stemmed from his anger over the women calling him a “molester” and a “rapist.” In August 2021, a federal jury convicted Prior on two counts of second-degree murder. The following January, he was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison, bringing a measure of closure to the grieving families of Adeline Sam and Amy Hinkey.
